When to Plant Turnips in Montana
In a typical Montana location, sow outdoors Apr 16 – Apr 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Laurel and as late as May 16 in Butte. For a fall crop, plant around Jul 20 – Aug 3.
Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Turnips Planting Dates by City
| City | Direct sow | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Missoula | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Great Falls | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Bozeman | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Butte | May 16 – May 30 | Jun 27 – Jul 11 |
| Helena | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Kalispell | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Havre | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Anaconda | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Miles City | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Belgrade | Apr 28 – May 12 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Helena Valley West Central | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Evergreen | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Livingston | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Whitefish | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Laurel | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sidney | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Lockwood | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Lewistown | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Montana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Montana cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant turnips in Montana?
In a typical Montana location, sow outdoors Apr 16 – Apr 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Laurel and as late as May 16 in Butte. For a fall crop, plant around Jul 20 – Aug 3.
When is the last frost in Montana?
The average last spring frost in Montana ranges from May 5 in Laurel to June 13 in Butte, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
How long do turnips take to grow?
Turnips typically take 40–60 days from planting to harvest. Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Other Crops in Montana
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant turnips in other states