Rainline Garden

When to plant turnips in Bend and Redmond, OR

Plant turnips from seed, directly in the garden in Bend and Redmond, Apr 28 – Jun 9. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 13–27.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Bend and Redmond's typical last spring frost is June 9. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
Thin to 4 inches apart
Planting depth
½ inch deep
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 50 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Apr 28 – Jun 9, ½ inch deep, Thin to 4 inches apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Plant again Jul 13–27 for a fall harvest.
  5. Harvest: Pull at 2 to 3 inches across for tender roots. The greens are good to eat too.

Varieties that do well here

  • Hakurei (salad turnip)
  • Purple Top White Globe
  • Scarlet Queen

Watch out for

Cabbage root maggots tunnel into roots in cool, wet soil. Cover the bed with row cover from sowing on.

Harvest small for tender roots. Fall turnips sweeten after a light frost.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Bend and Redmond, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Redmond Roberts Field.

Is it too late to plant turnips in Bend and Redmond?

The spring planting window runs through June 9. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 13 to July 27.

How long until I can harvest turnips?

About 50 days after planting. Pull at 2 to 3 inches across for tender roots. The greens are good to eat too.

Also plant in Bend and Redmond around the same time

Planting dates for turnips in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Bend and Redmond · Turnips in every city