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When to Plant Turnip in Harrison 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.

Harrison County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 168 feet, Harrison County receives approximately 63.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Turnip may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Turnip will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Turnip root diseases.

Harrison County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Harrison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (167 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 16 – May 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – May 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 21

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 461 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 5,412 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Harrison County, TX

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 20
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Sep 19
Harvest April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

246 days

Growing Tips for Harrison 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 Harrison County, TX?

Harrison County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harrison County, TX?

Harrison County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 14.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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