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When to Plant Turnip in Eau Claire 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.

Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 674 feet, Eau Claire County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Turnip to ensure they mature before fall.

Eau Claire County, WI (Zone 4a) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Eau Claire County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (78 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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 130 gal / 100 sq ft
Turnip needs ~500 GDD — county provides 1,460 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Eau Claire County, WI

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 โ€“ Jul 25
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 19

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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 4a

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County, WI?

Eau Claire County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Eau Claire County, WI?

Eau Claire County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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