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When to Plant Turnip in Accomack County, VA

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.

Accomack County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 659 feet, Accomack County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Accomack County, VA (Zone 7b) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Accomack County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23

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 Accomack County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“7.0) overlaps with Turnip's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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 195-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 19.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 35 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~838 GDD — county provides 3,266 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Accomack County, VA

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
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 Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

195 days in Accomack County

Growing Tips for Turnip in Accomack County

Direct sow Turnip outdoors after April 16 in Accomack County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 195.0-day season in Accomack 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 Accomack County, VA?

Accomack County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Accomack County, VA?

Accomack County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Accomack County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.