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When to Plant Turnip in Wood 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.

Wood County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 714 feet, Wood County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Wood County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Wood County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (97 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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 512 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~650 GDD — county provides 2,301 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Wood County, OH

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 29

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 Wood 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 Wood County, OH?

Wood County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wood County, OH?

Wood County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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