Rainline Garden

When to plant turnips in Burns, OR

Plant turnips from seed, directly in the garden in Burns, Apr 30 – Jun 11. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 5–19.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Burns's typical last spring frost is June 11. 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 30 – Jun 11, 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 5–19 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 Burns, OR?

Typically June 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Burns Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant turnips in Burns?

The spring planting window runs through June 11. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 5 to July 19.

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 Burns around the same time

Planting dates for turnips in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Burns · Turnips in every city