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When to Plant Turnip in Moore 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.

Moore County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 1,271 feet, Moore County receives approximately 42.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Moore County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Moore County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9

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.

Soil Compatibility in Moore County

How your county's soil matches Turnip's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“7.0) overlaps with Turnip's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Moore County is excellent for Turnip โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Turnip.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Turnip.

How to Plant Turnip

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Turnip

5
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~800 GDD — county provides 3,152 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Moore County, TN

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest May 8 May 8 โ€“ Jun 12

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

197 days in Moore County

Growing Tips for Turnip in Moore County

Direct sow Turnip outdoors after April 10 in Moore County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 197.0-day season in Moore County allows multiple plantings of Turnip. Sow every 20.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Turnip in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Moore County, TN?

Moore County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Moore County, TN?

Moore County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Moore County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Moore County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.