Turnip in Zone 3a & 3b
Brassica rapa
Yes, turnip grows in zones 3a and 3b. Plant it outside May 9–May 16. For a fall crop, plant out Jul 3–Jul 17.
When to plant turnip in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Window | Spring window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 9–May 16 |
| Estimated harvest | Jun 28–Jul 5 (~50 days after direct-sowing) |
| Window | Fall window |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jul 3–Jul 17 |
| Estimated harvest | Aug 22–Sep 5 (~50 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Fall window: the last sowing date is the average first frost minus days to maturity, the method in Purdue Extension's fall garden guide, which lists turnip for late-summer planting.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of turnip in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- OnionMay 9–May 16
- RadishMay 2–May 9
- CarrotMay 9–May 16
- CabbageMay 16–May 23
- LettuceMay 16–May 23
- BeetMay 9–May 16
Turnips are an underused fast crop: direct-sown, no transplanting fuss, and ready to eat in under two months. They're an easy way to fill a bed gap between slower-growing neighbors.
How turnip fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Turnip needs about 50 days from sowing to first harvest.
Turnip planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2bSpring window | Not usually | Apr 29–May 6 | Jun 18–Jun 25 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jun 29–Jul 13 | Aug 18–Sep 1 |
| 3a & 3bSpring window (your zone) | Not usually | May 9–May 16 | Jun 28–Jul 5 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 3–Jul 17 | Aug 22–Sep 5 |
| 4a & 4bSpring window | Not usually | Apr 24–May 1 | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Jul 18–Aug 1 | Sep 6–Sep 20 |
| 5a & 5bSpring window | Not usually | Apr 19–Apr 26 | Jun 8–Jun 15 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 2–Aug 16 | Sep 21–Oct 5 |
| 6a & 6bSpring window | Not usually | Apr 4–Apr 11 | May 24–May 31 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 12–Aug 26 | Oct 1–Oct 15 |
| 7a & 7bSpring window | Not usually | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 9–May 16 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Aug 22–Sep 5 | Oct 11–Oct 25 |
| 8a & 8bSpring window | Not usually | Mar 4–Mar 11 | Apr 23–Apr 30 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Sep 7–Sep 21 | Oct 27–Nov 10 |
| 9a & 9bSpring window | Not usually | Jan 25–Feb 1 | Mar 16–Mar 23 |
| Fall window | Not usually | Oct 2–Oct 16 | Nov 21–Dec 5 |
Harvest dates are about 50 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
- Pea: Peas fix nitrogen that benefits neighboring root crops.
Where to buy turnip seeds
Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's turnip seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Hakurei: Cornell's Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners database describes it as a white, flat-to-round hybrid best harvested small (up to 2 inches) at around 38 days, noticeably faster and more tender than standard storage turnips. Buy: True Leaf Market Full notes
- Purple Top White Globe: On Clemson Extension's list of recommended turnips as a dual-purpose variety, grown for both the root and the greens. Buy: Botanical Interests · True Leaf Market · Burpee · High Mowing Organic Seeds Full notes
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing turnip" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Turnip in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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