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When to Plant Turnip in Henry 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.

Henry County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 1,382 feet, Henry County receives approximately 40.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Henry County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~875 GDD — county provides 3,587 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Henry County, TN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 4 May 4 โ€“ Jun 8

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

205 days

Growing Tips for Henry 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 Henry County, TN?

Henry County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, TN?

Henry County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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