Root Vegetable

When to Plant Turnips in Massachusetts

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

The Short Answer

In Massachusetts, soil conditions are an important factor for turnips. Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Raised beds popular. Amend heavily with compost. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Turnips can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

Massachusetts Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Western Massachusetts 5b, 6a May 1 - May 20 Sep 20 - Oct 10
Central Massachusetts 5b, 6a May 1 - May 15 Sep 25 - Oct 10
Coastal/Cape 6b, 7a Apr 15 - May 1 Oct 15 - Nov 1

Turnips Planting Schedule for Massachusetts

Western Massachusetts (Zones 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 20 - Oct 10

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

Central Massachusetts (Zones 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

Coastal/Cape (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 15 - May 1 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1

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

Growing Turnips in Massachusetts

Turnips in Massachusetts's Climate

Turnips fill the cool-season gaps beautifully. Spring and fall plantings both work well. Fall turnips taste noticeably sweeter after frost exposure. Quick maturity (35-60 days) makes them excellent for succession planting and filling gaps between main crops.

Soil Considerations for Massachusetts

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Raised beds popular. Amend heavily with compost. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for turnips since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Massachusetts Climate & Growing Season

Four seasons. Maritime influence moderates coastal areas. Cold winters. Good growing season with adequate moisture. Turnips can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Massachusetts's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Massachusetts: Western Massachusetts (5b, 6a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 20, while Coastal/Cape (6b, 7a) sees frost end around Apr 15 - May 1. 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 Massachusetts, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Western Massachusetts gardeners should plan around a May 1 - May 20 last frost, while those in Coastal/Cape can typically plant earlier. 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 Massachusetts Planting Calendar All plants for Massachusetts 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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