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When to Plant Turnip in Bucks County, PA

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.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 958 feet, Bucks County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Bucks County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bucks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 95 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~800 GDD — county provides 3,040 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Bucks County, PA

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 20

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 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 6b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Bucks 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 Bucks County, PA?

Bucks County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bucks County, PA?

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bucks County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Bucks County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.