Root Vegetable

When to Plant Turnips in North Dakota

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

The Short Answer

In North Dakota, soil conditions are an important factor for turnips. Rich prairie soils — excellent for gardening. Alkaline in western regions. Heavy clay in Red River Valley. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Turnips can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

North Dakota Frost Dates

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

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Western North Dakota	3b, 4a	May 15 - May 30	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Eastern North Dakota	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b	May 10 - May 25	Sep 15 - Sep 30

Turnips Planting Schedule for North Dakota

Western North Dakota (Zones 3b, 4a)

Average last frost: May 15 - May 30 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 25

Direct Sow

3 wks before frost

Fall Planting

8 wks before first frost

Eastern North Dakota (Zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 10 - May 25 · Average first frost: Sep 15 - Sep 30

Direct Sow

3 wks before frost

Fall Planting

8 wks before first frost

Growing Turnips in North Dakota

Turnips in North Dakota'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 North Dakota

Rich prairie soils — excellent for gardening. Alkaline in western regions. Heavy clay in Red River Valley. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for turnips since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

North Dakota Climate & Growing Season

Very cold winters. Short but warm summers with long days. Wind protection very important for gardens. Turnips can handle frost well, which is an advantage in North Dakota's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across North Dakota: Western North Dakota (3b, 4a) has a last frost around May 15 - May 30, while Eastern North Dakota (3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) sees frost end around May 10 - May 25. 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 North Dakota, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Western North Dakota gardeners should plan around a May 15 - May 30 last frost, while those in Eastern North Dakota can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

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