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When to Plant Turnip in Cumberland 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.

Cumberland County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 3,392 feet, Cumberland County receives approximately 50.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Turnip root diseases.

Cumberland County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Cumberland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15

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 ~1,025 GDD — county provides 3,915 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Cumberland County, TN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 17

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 7a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Cumberland 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 Cumberland County, TN?

Cumberland County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cumberland County, TN?

Cumberland County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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