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When to Plant Turnip in Falls County, TX

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.

Falls County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 66 feet, Falls County receives approximately 66.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Turnip may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Turnip, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Turnip root diseases.

Falls County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Falls County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (170 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Apr 28 – Jun 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 24

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 Falls County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.1โ€“8.2) is more alkaline than Turnip prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Your clay soil in Falls County is workable for Turnip. Add compost annually to improve structure.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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

7
successive plantings in your 241-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 14 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 04.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~1,138 GDD — county provides 5,482 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Falls County, TX

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 24
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 19

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

241 days in Falls County

Growing Tips for Turnip in Falls County

Direct sow Turnip outdoors after March 17 in Falls County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Falls County's clay soil (36% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Turnip. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

With summer highs reaching 97ยฐF in Falls County, provide afternoon shade for Turnip and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 241.0-day season in Falls 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 Falls County, TX?

Falls County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Falls County, TX?

Falls County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Falls County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Falls County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.