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When to Plant Turnip in Marion 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.

Marion 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 1,867 feet, Marion County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

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

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 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 299 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~950 GDD — county provides 3,933 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion County, TN?

Marion 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 Marion County, TN?

Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.