Rainline Garden

When to plant turnips in Medford, OR

Plant turnips from seed, directly in the garden in Medford, Mar 1 – Apr 12. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 13–27.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Medford's typical last spring frost is April 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 1.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

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 Mar 1 – Apr 12, 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 Aug 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 Medford, OR?

Typically April 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 30. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Medford Rogue Valley Airport.

Is it too late to plant turnips in Medford?

The spring planting window runs through April 12. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 13 to August 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 Medford around the same time

Planting dates for turnips in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Medford · Turnips in every city