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When to Plant Turnip in Claiborne 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.

Claiborne County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 2,594 feet, Claiborne County receives approximately 43.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Claiborne County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Claiborne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 87 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~912 GDD — county provides 3,504 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Claiborne County, TN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 15

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 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

192 days

Growing Tips for Claiborne 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 Claiborne County, TN?

Claiborne County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Claiborne County, TN?

Claiborne County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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