Blog

When to Plant Turnip in Sevier County, UT

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.

Sevier County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 8,049 feet, Sevier County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Sevier County, UT (Zone 5b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Sevier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Jul 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 27

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 Sevier County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“8.0) is more alkaline than Turnip prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

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

3
successive plantings in your 134-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 22.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 507 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Turnip

Turnip needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Turnip Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 1.3" 3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.6" 2.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Sevier County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Turnip Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Turnip needs ~800 GDD — county provides 2,144 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Sevier County, UT

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 21
Fall Sowing July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
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 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

134 days in Sevier County

Growing Tips for Turnip in Sevier County

Direct sow Turnip outdoors after May 19 in Sevier County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Sevier County receives only 21" of rain annually. Turnip needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Turnip in Sevier County, UT?

Sevier County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sevier County, UT?

Sevier County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sevier County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Sevier County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.