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When to Plant Turnip in Raleigh 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.

Raleigh County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 3,257 feet, Raleigh County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Turnip during the growing season.

Raleigh County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Raleigh County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~838 GDD — county provides 2,814 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Raleigh County, WV

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 3

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 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 6b

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Raleigh 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 Raleigh County, WV?

Raleigh County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Raleigh County, WV?

Raleigh County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 16.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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