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When to Plant Turnip in Gilmer 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.

Gilmer County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 2,257 feet, Gilmer County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Gilmer County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Gilmer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Turnip needs ~838 GDD — county provides 2,897 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Gilmer County, WV

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 30

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 6a

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Gilmer 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 Gilmer County, WV?

Gilmer County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gilmer County, WV?

Gilmer County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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