When to Plant Turnip in USDA Zone 5b
Top priorities for Zone 5b gardeners in May
Your garden in Zone 5b is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
It's harvest week for turnip
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
Get ahead of June
- 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 5b, the average last spring frost is around April 18 and the first fall frost is around October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.
Turnip Planting Timeline — Zone 5b
Where Is USDA Zone 5b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5b. Click any state to see the Turnip planting schedule for that location.
Turnip Planting Calendar — Zone 5b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Harvest | May 16 | May 16 – Jun 20 |
| Fall Sowing | August 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Direct Sow |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5b 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
178 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 (~178 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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- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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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 5b?
In Zone 5b, plan your Turnip planting around the average last frost date of April 18. Direct sow outdoors around April 4.
Can Turnip grow in Zone 5b?
Yes, Turnip can grow well in Zone 5b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 5b has a growing season of approximately 178 days, which is sufficient for Turnip (40-60 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Turnip in Zone 5b?
In Zone 5b, expect to harvest Turnip from May 16 – June 20. Turnip takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5b is around April 18, and the first fall frost is around October 13. This gives a growing season of approximately 178 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.