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When to Plant Turnip in Mahoning 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.

Mahoning County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 759 feet, Mahoning County receives approximately 37.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Mahoning County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Mahoning County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 120 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~725 GDD — county provides 2,479 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Mahoning County, OH

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 2

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 Harvest
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

171 days

Growing Tips for Mahoning 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 Mahoning County, OH?

Mahoning County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mahoning County, OH?

Mahoning County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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