Root Vegetable

When to Plant Turnips in New Jersey

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

The Short Answer

In New Jersey, soil conditions are an important factor for turnips. Sandy soils in Pine Barrens. Clay in north. Acidic in south. Rich loam in central agricultural areas. The Garden State for good reason. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Turnips can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

New Jersey Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Northern New Jersey 6a, 6b Apr 20 - May 5 Oct 5 - Oct 20
Central New Jersey 6b, 7a Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 15 - Nov 1
Southern New Jersey 7a, 7b Apr 1 - Apr 15 Oct 20 - Nov 5

Turnips Planting Schedule for New Jersey

Northern New Jersey (Zones 6a, 6b)

Average last frost: Apr 20 - May 5 · Average first frost: Oct 5 - Oct 20

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

Central New Jersey (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 10 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1

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

Southern New Jersey (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Apr 1 - Apr 15 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

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

Growing Turnips in New Jersey

Turnips in New Jersey'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 New Jersey

Sandy soils in Pine Barrens. Clay in north. Acidic in south. Rich loam in central agricultural areas. The Garden State for good reason. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for turnips since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

New Jersey Climate & Growing Season

Moderate climate with maritime influence. Good growing season. Four seasons. Excellent for a wide range of crops. Turnips can handle frost well, which is an advantage in New Jersey's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

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