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When to Plant Turnip in Fairfield County, OH

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.

Fairfield County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 716 feet, Fairfield County receives approximately 38.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Fairfield County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Fairfield County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 25

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.

Soil Compatibility in Fairfield County

How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“7.3) overlaps with Turnip's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Fairfield County is excellent for Turnip โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) โ€” Turnip will thrive.

How to Plant Turnip

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Turnip

5
successive plantings in your 182-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 23 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 13.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 173 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~912 GDD — county provides 3,321 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Fairfield County, OH

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

182 days in Fairfield County

Growing Tips for Turnip in Fairfield County

Direct sow Turnip outdoors after April 23 in Fairfield County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 182.0-day season in Fairfield County allows multiple plantings of Turnip. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Turnip in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Fairfield County, OH?

Fairfield County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fairfield County, OH?

Fairfield County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fairfield County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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