When Do You Plant Turnips In The Fall

If you want a steady supply of sweet, crunchy roots from your garden, knowing when do you plant turnips in the fall is the most important step. Getting the timing right means the difference between a great harvest and disappointing, woody, or bolted turnips.

Fall is actually the perfect season for growing turnips. The cool weather makes them thrive, developing that crisp texture and slightly sweet flavor that summer-grown turnips often lack. This guide will walk you through the simple timing and steps for a successful autumn crop.

Your planting date depends entirely on your local climate and the first expected frost in your area. Turnips are a cool-season crop that can handle a light frost, which even improves their flavor. However, a hard freeze can damage the roots.

The general rule is to plant turnip seeds directly in the garden 6 to 8 weeks before your first average fall frost date. This gives them enough time to mature while the days and soil are still warm for germination, followed by cool weather for bulbing up.

How to Find Your Frost Date

First, you need to know your average first fall frost date. You can find this with a quick online search for your town or zip code. Many university extension services have detailed maps and calendars.

Once you have that date, count backwards 50 to 60 days. That’s your target planting window. For example, if your first frost is typically around October 20th, you should aim to plant seeds between August 20th and September 1st.

Adjusting for Your Specific Goals

This timeline can be tweaked depending on what you want to harvest:

For Roots Only: Stick to the 6-8 week guideline. This ensures the roots have time to size up properly.
For Greens Only: You can plant much later, even 4 weeks before frost. You’ll get a quick crop of tender turnip greens.
For Both Roots and Greens: Use the standard timing. You can begin harvesting a few outer leaves once the plants are established, but leave enough for the root to develop.

What Happens if You Plant Too Late?

If you miss the ideal window and plant too close to frost, the roots won’t have enough time to swell to a usable size. You might end up with only tiny, pencil-thin roots, though you’ll likely still get some greens.

What Happens if You Plant Too Early?

Planting while summer heat is still intense can cause problems. The seeds may struggle to germinate, and young seedlings can wilt. More importantly, hot weather can make the roots taste bitter and pungent, and may cause the plants to bolt (flower) prematurely, which ruins the root.

Succession Planting for Extended Harvest

For a longer harvest period, consider planting a new, short row every 10 to 14 days within your main planting window. This staggers maturity so you’re not overwhelmed with a single large harvest.

Regional Planting Windows

Northeast & Midwest: Late July through mid-August is typical.
Pacific Northwest: Mid-July through early September, depending on your microclimate.
South: Planting often happens in late August through October, as frost comes much later.
Gulf Coast & Deep South: Turnips are often grown as a winter crop, planted from September through November.

Preparing Your Garden Bed

Turnips aren’t fussy, but they do best in loose, well-draining soil. Heavy, compacted clay will result in misshapen, stunted roots.

Choose a spot that gets full sun (at least 6 hours).
Loosen the soil to a depth of 12-15 inches using a garden fork or tiller.
Mix in a 2-3 inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure. This improves texture and fertility.
Remove any large stones or debris that could obstruct root growth.
Rake the bed smooth, breaking up any large clumps.

How to Plant Turnip Seeds

Turnips should always be grown from seed sown directly in the garden. They do not transplant well due to there delicate taproot.

Create shallow furrows about 1/2 inch deep. Space rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
Sow the tiny seeds thinly along the furrow. Aim for about 1 seed per inch.
Cover the seeds lightly with fine soil or compost and pat down gently.
Water the area thoroughly using a gentle spray to avoid washing the seeds away.
Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge, which usually takes 4 to 7 days.

Thinning is Non-Negotiable

Once seedlings are a few inches tall and have their first true leaves, you must thin them. Crowded turnips will not form good roots.

For turnips grown primarily for greens, thin plants to 2-3 inches apart.
For full-sized roots, thin plants to 4-6 inches apart.

Use scissors to snip off unwanted seedlings at the soil line to avoid disturbing the roots of the ones you keep. The thinnings are edible and make a nice addition to salads.

Caring for Your Fall Turnip Crop

Once established, turnips require minimal care, which is part of there appeal.

Watering: Provide about 1 inch of water per week. Consistent moisture is key for fast growth and tender roots. Letting the soil dry out can lead to cracked or woody turnips.
Weeding: Keep the area weed-free, especially while seedlings are young. Weeds compete for water and nutrients.
Fertilizing: If your soil is decent, extra fertilizer usually isn’t needed. An overabundance of nitrogen can lead to fabulous greens but tiny roots. If growth seems slow, a light side-dressing of a balanced fertilizer can help.
Pests: Watch for flea beetles (tiny holes in leaves) and cabbage worms. Row covers installed right after planting are an effective organic barrier.

Determining When to Harvest

Your harvest time depends on the variety, but most are ready in 45-60 days.

For Baby Turnips: You can start pulling them when the roots are about 1-2 inches in diameter. These are incredibly tender.
For Full-Sized Roots: Harvest when they reach 2-4 inches in diameter. Don’t let them grow too large, as they can become fibrous and strong-flavored.
For Greens: Harvest a few outer leaves from each plant once they are 4-6 inches long. Never take all the leaves from a root you want to harvest later.

A light frost or two will sweeten the roots. You can leave them in the ground until a hard freeze is forecasted. Then, harvest all remaining roots.

Recommended Varieties for Fall Planting

Some turnip varieties are particularly well-suited for autumn growing.

Purple Top White Globe: The classic. Reliable, with white bottoms and purple shoulders. Excellent for both roots and greens.
Hakurei: A salad turnip. Sweet, crisp, and pure white. Best harvested small (1-3 inches).
Scarlet Queen: Striking red-skinned roots with sweet, white flesh. Holds its color when cooked.
Seven Top: Grown almost exclusively for its lush, flavorful greens. The root is not typically eaten.

Storing Your Autumn Harvest

Proper storage ensures you enjoy your turnips for months.

Brush off excess soil, but do not wash them before storing.
Trim the greens off about an inch above the root crown. The greens draw moisture from the root, causing it to wilt faster.
Store the unwashed roots in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. They’ll keep for several weeks.
For long-term storage, turnips can be kept in a cold, humid root cellar or similar environment (32-40°F with high humidity). Pack them in damp sand or sawdust in a container.

Don’t forget to use the greens! They can be stored separately in the fridge for a few days and cooked like spinach or kale.

Common Problems and Simple Solutions

Roots are Woody or Bitter: Caused by hot weather, inconsistent watering, or letting them grow too large. Stick to your planting window and harvest on time.
Plants Bolt (Flower): Triggered by a period of cold weather followed by warm weather, or planting an off-type variety. Use recommended varieties and plant at the correct time.
Roots are Misshapen or Forked: Usually caused by heavy, rocky, or compacted soil. Proper bed preparation is the best prevention.
Holes in Leaves: Likely flea beetles. Use row covers from the start as a barrier.

FAQ: Your Turnip Questions Answered

Can you plant turnips in October?

It depends on your climate. In the North, October is usually too late for roots but you might get a crop of greens if planted very early in the month. In the South, October is often an ideal planting time.

How late can turnips be planted?

For a worthwhile root harvest, plant no later than 6 weeks before your first hard freeze. For greens only, you can plant up until 4 weeks before that freeze.

Do turnips need full sun?

Yes, they perform best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. They can tolerate very light shade, but growth will be slower.

Can I grow turnips in containers?

Absolutely. Choose a pot at least 12 inches deep and wide. Use a quality potting mix and ensure the container has good drainage. Water more frequently, as pots dry out faster.

Why are my turnip greens yellowing?

Yellowing leaves can indicate a few issues: overwatering, poor drainage, a nitrogen deficiency, or a pest problem. Check soil moisture and look for signs of insects on the undersides of leaves.

With the right timing and these simple care steps, your fall turnip crop is set up for success. The key is simply counting back from that first frost date and getting those seeds in the ground during that golden late-summer window. Before you know it, you’ll be pulling up sweet, crisp turnips perfect for roasting, stews, or enjoying raw.