Missouri planting calendar

When to plant turnips in Missouri — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Missouri is mostly USDA zone 6b (range 5b-7a). Dates below are derived from turnips's frost tolerance and Missouri's frost window — not generic national averages.

Turnips planting timetable for Missouri

Stage	When in Missouri	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	mid-March (March 18)	28 days before the last frost (mid-April)
First harvest (estimate)	early May (May 7)	~50 days from direct sow

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Missouri's climate shifts the turnips dates

Missouri's last spring frost averages mid-April and first fall frost mid-October, which sets the whole planting clock. Missouri has a humid continental climate with hot summers and a southeastern Bootheel that gardens nearly a zone warmer than the north. Sow early — turnips bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

Turnips are direct-sown cool-season roots that tolerate hard frost — seedlings survive down to about -4 °C once established. Sow 3-5 weeks before the last spring frost for a late-spring harvest; a fall sowing 6-8 weeks before first fall frost is often preferred since mild frost actually sweetens the roots. Harvest roots at 2-3 inches diameter; roots left longer turn woody. Greens ('turnip tops') can be cut at any size and are ready in 30-35 days.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before mid-April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Missouri

the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Kansas City — USDA zone 6b
St. Louis — USDA zone 7a
Springfield — USDA zone 7a
Columbia — USDA zone 6b

What else to plant in Missouri around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun — 6+ hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 7-29 °C (45-85 °F).
Spacing: 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~50 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant turnips in Missouri?

In Missouri (mostly USDA zone 6b), direct-sow turnips mid-March (before the last frost, mid-April), and harvest from early May. Turnips are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

What USDA zone is Missouri?

Most of Missouri sits in USDA hardiness zone 6b, with the state spanning roughly 5b-7a from the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) to the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a). The last spring frost averages mid-April and the first fall frost mid-October.

Can you grow turnips in Missouri?

Yes. Missouri's dominant zone 6b supports turnips — the key is timing. Turnips are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

Does the planting date change across Missouri?

the northern counties near Iowa (zone 5b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Bootheel in the southeast (zone 7a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Missouri around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.