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When to Plant Turnip in Marion 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.

Marion County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 733 feet, Marion County receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Marion County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 26
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 12
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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 365 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 2,699 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, OH

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 28

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

177 days

Growing Tips for Marion 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 Marion County, OH?

Marion County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 26. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, OH?

Marion County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 26 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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