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When to Plant Turnip in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 3,458 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Turnip root diseases.

Lincoln County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8

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 ~988 GDD — county provides 3,950 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, TN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jun 11

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 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, TN?

Lincoln County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, TN?

Lincoln County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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