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When to Plant Turnip in USDA Zone 9b

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 9b, the average last spring frost is around January 25 and the first fall frost is around December 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 329 days.

Zone 9b Year-round
329 days
Last Spring Frost January 25
329 growing days
First Fall Frost December 20

Turnip Planting Timeline — Zone 9b

Where Is USDA Zone 9b?

The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9b. Click any state to see the Turnip planting schedule for that location.

Prints a clean, ink-friendly version without maps or navigation.

Turnip Planting Calendar — Zone 9b

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 4 Jan 4 – Jan 25
Harvest February 15 Feb 15 – Mar 22
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 – Nov 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Direct Sow
February Harvest
March Harvest
April
May
June
July
August
September
October Fall Sowing
November Fall Sowing
December

Free Zone 9b Planting Calendar PDF

Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.

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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

25°F to 30°F average annual minimum

Growing Season

329 days (Zone 9b average)

Planting Specifications

Planting Depth0.5 inches
Plant Spacing4 inches apart
Row Spacing12 inches between rows

Succession Planting Turnip in Zone 9b

10
successive plantings in Zone 9b's ~329-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.

Growing Tips for Turnip in Zone 9b

Zone 9b offers a long growing season (~329 days). You can plant Turnip earlier and may get multiple harvests.

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

Saving Turnip Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

☀️
Garden Shade Cloth $15-35

Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.

🌱
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

Related Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Turnip in Zone 9b?

In Zone 9b, plan your Turnip planting around the average last frost date of January 25. Direct sow outdoors around January 4.

Can Turnip grow in Zone 9b?

Yes, Turnip can grow well in Zone 9b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 10b. Zone 9b has a growing season of approximately 329 days, which is sufficient for Turnip (40-60 days to maturity).

When can I harvest Turnip in Zone 9b?

In Zone 9b, expect to harvest Turnip from February 15 – March 22. Turnip takes 40-60 days from planting to harvest.

What is the last frost date for Zone 9b?

The average last spring frost in Zone 9b is around January 25, and the first fall frost is around December 20. This gives a growing season of approximately 329 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.

🌱

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner — organize your planting dates for Zone 9b, track your crops, and plan your garden season from seed to harvest.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.