When to Plant Turnip in Tennessee

Growing Turnip in Tennessee: Complete Guide

Turnip (Brassica rapa) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. In Tennessee, the right time to direct sow is around Monday, February 22, 2027, once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because Tennessee stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 91 days to maturity, Turnip fits comfortably within Tennessee's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Turnip requires full sun and regular moisture. Southeastern summers are hot and humid; mulch heavily to retain moisture and shade roots during peak heat.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Tennessee.