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When to Plant Turnip in Cheatham County, TN

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.

Cheatham County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 2,381 feet, Cheatham County receives approximately 41.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Cheatham County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Cheatham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 5

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 363 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Turnip needs ~1,025 GDD — county provides 4,243 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Cheatham County, TN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing August 20 Aug 20 โ€“ Sep 3
Harvest May 3 May 3 โ€“ Jun 7

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 7a

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Cheatham 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 Cheatham County, TN?

Cheatham County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheatham County, TN?

Cheatham County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 29.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cheatham County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Cheatham County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.