Root Vegetable

When to Plant Turnips in West Virginia

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

The Short Answer

In West Virginia, soil conditions are an important factor for turnips. Shale and sandstone soils. Acidic throughout. Thin mountain soils. Valleys have better soil depth. Raised beds often recommended. Direct sow 3 weeks before your last frost date. Turnips can also be planted in fall, 8 weeks before your first frost.

West Virginia Frost Dates

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

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Eastern Panhandle 6a, 6b Apr 20 - May 5 Oct 5 - Oct 20
Central Mountains 5a, 5b, 6a May 1 - May 20 Sep 20 - Oct 10
Southern Valleys 6b, 7a Apr 10 - Apr 25 Oct 15 - Nov 1

Turnips Planting Schedule for West Virginia

Eastern Panhandle (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 Mountains (Zones 5a, 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

Southern Valleys (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

Growing Turnips in West Virginia

Turnips in West Virginia'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 West Virginia

Shale and sandstone soils. Acidic throughout. Thin mountain soils. Valleys have better soil depth. Raised beds often recommended. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for turnips since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.

West Virginia Climate & Growing Season

Mountain climate with significant elevation variation. Cooler summers at altitude. Good rainfall. Microclimates in valleys. Turnips can handle frost well, which is an advantage in West Virginia's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across West Virginia: Eastern Panhandle (6a, 6b) has a last frost around Apr 20 - May 5, while Southern Valleys (6b, 7a) sees frost end around Apr 10 - Apr 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 West Virginia, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Eastern Panhandle gardeners should plan around a Apr 20 - May 5 last frost, while those in Southern Valleys 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 West Virginia Planting Calendar All plants for West Virginia 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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