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When to Plant Turnip in Union 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.

Union County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 1,227 feet, Union County receives approximately 34.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Union County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Union County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 27

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 338 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Turnip needs ~725 GDD — county provides 2,566 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Union County, OH

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 27

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 Union 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 Union County, OH?

Union County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Union County, OH?

Union County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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