Root Vegetable

When to Plant Turnips in Nevada

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

The Short Answer

In Nevada, soil conditions are an important factor for turnips. Desert soils — alkaline, low organic matter. Extremely dry. Heavy amendment essential. Irrigation required. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Turnips can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

Nevada Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern Nevada (Reno) 6b, 7a May 1 - May 20 Sep 25 - Oct 15
Las Vegas 8b, 9a, 9b Feb 10 - Mar 5 Nov 10 - Dec 1
Mountain Nevada 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b May 25 - Jun 15 Aug 25 - Sep 15

Turnips Planting Schedule for Nevada

Northern Nevada (Reno) (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 15

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

Las Vegas (Zones 8b, 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 10 - Mar 5 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Dec 1

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

Mountain Nevada (Zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b)

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

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

Growing Turnips in Nevada

Turnips in Nevada's Climate

Sow turnips from October through January. Fast maturity makes them productive even in a short cool window. Turnip greens are more common than root harvest in subtropical cooking traditions.

Soil Considerations for Nevada

Desert soils — alkaline, low organic matter. Extremely dry. Heavy amendment essential. Irrigation required. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for turnips since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

Nevada Climate & Growing Season

Arid climate. Extreme heat in summer (Las Vegas). Short season at altitude. Very low humidity. Water conservation critical. Turnips can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Nevada's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Nevada: Northern Nevada (Reno) (6b, 7a) has a last frost around May 1 - May 20, while Mountain Nevada (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b) sees frost end around May 25 - Jun 15. 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 Nevada, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Nevada (Reno) gardeners should plan around a May 1 - May 20 last frost, while those in Mountain Nevada 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 Nevada Planting Calendar All plants for Nevada 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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