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When to Plant Turnip in Adams County, WI

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.

Adams County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.

At an elevation of 1,055 feet, Adams County receives approximately 41.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Adams County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
152 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
152 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (70 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
1.2″/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 ~538 GDD — county provides 1,634 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Adams County, WI

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 15

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 Fall Sowing Harvest
August โ€”
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 4b

Growing Season

152 days

Growing Tips for Adams 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 Adams County, WI?

Adams County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, WI?

Adams County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Adams County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Adams County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.