Root Vegetable

When to Plant Turnips in Colorado

A fast-growing, cold-hardy root crop that's underappreciated. Both the root and the greens are delicious.

The Short Answer

In Colorado, soil conditions are an important factor for turnips. Alkaline clay soils common along Front Range. Rocky, thin soils in mountains. Amend heavily with compost and sulfur to lower pH. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Turnips can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

Colorado Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Colorado you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Front Range (Denver) 5a, 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10
Western Slope 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a May 10 - Jun 1 Sep 15 - Oct 5
Mountain Regions 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b Jun 1 - Jun 20 Aug 25 - Sep 15

Turnips Planting Schedule for Colorado

Front Range (Denver) (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Western Slope (Zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 10 - Jun 1 · Average first frost: Sep 15 - Oct 5

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Mountain Regions (Zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: Jun 1 - Jun 20 · Average first frost: Aug 25 - Sep 15

Direct Sow
3 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Turnips in Colorado

Turnips in Colorado's Climate

Turnips are a fast, cold-hardy root crop perfect for extending your short season. Direct sow 3 weeks before last frost and again in late August for frost-sweetened fall harvest. Both roots and greens are edible, doubling the crop's value. Hakurei Japanese salad turnips are especially quick — ready in 30-35 days.

Soil Considerations for Colorado

Alkaline clay soils common along Front Range. Rocky, thin soils in mountains. Amend heavily with compost and sulfur to lower pH. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for turnips since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Colorado Climate & Growing Season

High altitude means intense sun but cool nights. Low humidity. Hail risk in late spring. Short but intense growing season at elevation. Turnips can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Colorado's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Colorado: Front Range (Denver) (5a, 5b, 6a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 15, while Mountain Regions (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) sees frost end around Jun 1 - Jun 20. This difference matters for turnips — but turnips handle frost well, so the timing difference is less critical.

Growing Tips

Great for spring and fall planting. Harvest small for tender roots. Fall-planted turnips taste sweeter after a frost.

Companion Planting

Plant turnips alongside these companions for better growth:

Peas Onions

The Bottom Line

Turnips can be grown successfully across Colorado, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Front Range (Denver) gardeners should plan around a May 1 - May 15 last frost, while those in Mountain Regions can typically plant later. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Turnips Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Colorado Planting Calendar All plants for Colorado Turnips in Alabama Alabama planting dates Turnips in Alaska Alaska planting dates Turnips in Arizona Arizona planting dates Turnips in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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