Rainline Garden

When to plant turnips in Yakima, WA

Plant turnips from seed, directly in the garden in Yakima, Mar 27 – May 8. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 2–16.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Yakima's typical last spring frost is May 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.

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

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds Mar 27 – May 8, 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 2–16 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 Yakima, WA?

Typically May 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 27. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Yakima Air Terminal.

Is it too late to plant turnips in Yakima?

The spring planting window runs through May 8. If you miss it, plant again for fall from August 2 to August 16.

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 Yakima around the same time

Planting dates for turnips in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Yakima · Turnips in every city