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When to Plant Turnip in Berkeley County, WV

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.

Berkeley County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,749 feet, Berkeley County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Turnip root diseases.

Berkeley County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Berkeley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Jul 30

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~912 GDD — county provides 3,266 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Berkeley County, WV

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 26

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 Direct Sow Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Berkeley 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 Berkeley County, WV?

Berkeley County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Berkeley County, WV?

Berkeley County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Berkeley County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Berkeley County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.