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When to Plant Turnip in Sargent 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.

Sargent County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 733 feet, Sargent County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Sargent County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 8
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Sargent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 3

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 51 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Turnip needs ~538 GDD — county provides 1,591 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Sargent County, ND

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 22
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 โ€“ Jul 17

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

148 days

Growing Tips for Sargent 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 Sargent County, ND?

Sargent County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sargent County, ND?

Sargent County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sargent 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 Sargent County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.