When to Plant Turnip in USDA Zone 5a
Your May planting checklist for Zone 5a
If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- First harvests: 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 5a, the average last spring frost is around April 25 and the first fall frost is around October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.
Turnip Planting Timeline — Zone 5a
Where Is USDA Zone 5a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5a. Click any state to see the Turnip planting schedule for that location.
Turnip Planting Calendar — Zone 5a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | May 23 | May 23 – Jun 27 |
| Fall Sowing | July 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Direct Sow Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5a 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
166 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 (~166 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
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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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 5a?
In Zone 5a, plan your Turnip planting around the average last frost date of April 25. Direct sow outdoors around April 11.
Can Turnip grow in Zone 5a?
Yes, Turnip can grow well in Zone 5a, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 5a has a growing season of approximately 166 days, which is sufficient for Turnip (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Turnip in Zone 5a?
In Zone 5a, expect to harvest Turnip from May 23 – June 27. Turnip takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5a is around April 25, and the first fall frost is around October 8. This gives a growing season of approximately 166 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.