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When to Plant Turnip in Kidder County, ND

Turnips are a fast-growing cool-season root vegetable with edible roots and greens. Baby turnips are sweet and tender while mature ones are more pungent.

Kidder County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 137 days.

At an elevation of 654 feet, Kidder County receives approximately 28.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Kidder County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
137 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
137 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28

Kidder County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 9

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 198 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Turnip needs ~612 GDD — county provides 1,678 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Kidder County, ND

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Jul 20
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Jul 23

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 4a

Growing Season

137 days

Growing Tips for Kidder County

Direct sow in early spring or late summer. Harvest when roots are 2-3 inches in diameter for best flavor. Both the roots and the greens are nutritious and edible.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Turnip in Kidder County, ND?

Kidder County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kidder County, ND?

Kidder County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Kidder County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Kidder County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.