When to Plant Turnip in USDA Zone 3b
Your May gardening checklist
Your garden in Zone 3b is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Put turnip seeds straight in the ground
Your soil is warming°F — warm enough for these to germinate without babying.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: turnip
- Fall sowing: turnip
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.
In Zone 3b, the average last spring frost is around May 10 and the first fall frost is around September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.
Turnip Planting Timeline — Zone 3b
Where Is USDA Zone 3b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 3b. Click any state to see the Turnip planting schedule for that location.
Turnip Planting Calendar — Zone 3b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Harvest | June 14 | Jun 14 – Jul 19 |
| Fall Sowing | June 30 | Jun 30 – Jul 14 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | Direct Sow |
| June | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 3b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 3b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
40–60 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
135 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 4 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Turnip in Zone
Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Turnip in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~135 days). Start Turnip indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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Saving Turnip Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Turnip in Other Zones
Turnip by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Turnip in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, plan your Turnip planting around the average last frost date of May 10. Direct sow outdoors around May 3.
Can Turnip grow in Zone 3b?
Yes, Turnip can grow well in Zone 3b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 3b has a growing season of approximately 135 days, which is sufficient for Turnip (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Turnip in Zone 3b?
In Zone 3b, expect to harvest Turnip from June 14 – July 19. Turnip takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 3b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 3b is around May 10, and the first fall frost is around September 22. This gives a growing season of approximately 135 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Turnip?
Good companion plants for Turnip include Peas, Lettuce, Onion. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.