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When to Plant Turnip in Monroe 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.

Monroe County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 3,354 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Turnip root diseases.

Monroe County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 7

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
1.4″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~725 GDD — county provides 2,349 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, WV

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Aug 19
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jul 7

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
June Harvest
July Harvest
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

162 days

Growing Tips for Monroe 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 Monroe County, WV?

Monroe County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, WV?

Monroe County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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