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When to Plant Turnip in Pepin 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.

Pepin County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 1,052 feet, Pepin County receives approximately 38.9 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.

Pepin County, WI (Zone 4a) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Pepin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4

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
Turnip needs ~500 GDD — county provides 1,580 GDD Excellent fit

Turnip Planting Timeline โ€” Pepin County, WI

Turnip Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Jul 29
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 11

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 4a

Growing Season

158 days

Growing Tips for Pepin 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 Pepin County, WI?

Pepin County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Turnip planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pepin County, WI?

Pepin County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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