Blog

When to Plant Turnip in Montour 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.

Montour County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 722 feet, Montour County receives approximately 47.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Montour County, PA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Montour County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~688 GDD — county provides 2,406 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Montour County, PA

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Aug 24
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 6a

Growing Season

175 days

Growing Tips for Montour 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 Montour County, PA?

Montour County is in Zone 6a 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 Montour County, PA?

Montour County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montour County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Montour County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.