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When to Plant Turnip in Licking 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.

Licking County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 880 feet, Licking County receives approximately 31.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Licking County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Licking County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 28

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,072 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Turnip needs ~762 GDD — county provides 2,714 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Licking County, OH

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 26

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 Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
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 5b

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Licking 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 Licking County, OH?

Licking County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Licking County, OH?

Licking County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Licking County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Licking County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.