When to plant turnips in The Dalles, OR

Plant turnips from seed, directly in the garden in The Dalles, Mar 20 – May 1. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 13–27.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

The Dalles's typical last spring frost is April 11. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant seeds Mar 20 – May 1, ½ inch deep, Thin to 4 inches apart.
Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
Plant again Aug 13–27 for a fall harvest.
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 The Dalles, OR?

Typically April 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for The Dalles Municipal Airport (Dallesport, WA).

Is it too late to plant turnips in The Dalles?

The spring planting window runs through May 1. 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.