How to grow turnips - including sowing, caring and storage tips
The turnip is a cool-weather biennial that is grown as an annual. It is extremely easy to grow unlike some of its relatives such as the cauliflower, yet it is often overlooked in the kitchen.
There are many different varieties of turnip. They generally consist of white, round, fleshy globes with bright green leaves. All parts of the turnip can be eaten, that is, the leaves, the bulb and the roots. The smaller varieties are more succulent, sweet and juicy and can be eaten raw, grated into salads.
Turnips have a very high calcium content in both the vegetable and the leaves, and they are also particularly rich in magnesium, iron and potassium.
There are many different varieties of turnip. They generally consist of white, round, fleshy globes with bright green leaves. All parts of the turnip can be eaten, that is, the leaves, the bulb and the roots. The smaller varieties are more succulent, sweet and juicy and can be eaten raw, grated into salads.
Turnips have a very high calcium content in both the vegetable and the leaves, and they are also particularly rich in magnesium, iron and potassium.
Soil conditions for growing turnips
The turnip is a very fast-growing crop and it thrives in soils that are well-drained, rich and fertile, preferably one that was dug with manure for last year's crop.
Do not plant turnips in soils that held other brassicas the previous year as they will not fare as well.
The soil should be light and crumbly but not dry, and the pH should be around the 5.5 - 6.8 mark. Add lime if the soil is slightly acidic.
Do not plant turnips in soils that held other brassicas the previous year as they will not fare as well.
The soil should be light and crumbly but not dry, and the pH should be around the 5.5 - 6.8 mark. Add lime if the soil is slightly acidic.
Climate conditions for growing turnips
The turnip prefers cooler weather and does well in temperatures between 4°C - 24°C (40°F - 75°F). The seeds can be planted in full sun or partial shade as long as the temperature is not too excessive and the soil does not dry out.
In very hot sun the roots of the turnip become bitter-tasting and they also grow much more slowly, so take this into consideration before choosing where your turnips will be planted.
In very hot sun the roots of the turnip become bitter-tasting and they also grow much more slowly, so take this into consideration before choosing where your turnips will be planted.
Soil preparation
Work well-rotted manure or compost into the soil as far in advance as possible or plant the turnips seeds in a site that contains plenty of organic matter from the previous year.
A week before sowing the seeds, add plenty of general purpose fertiliser and rake into the topsoil.
A week before sowing the seeds, add plenty of general purpose fertiliser and rake into the topsoil.
Sowing the turnip seeds
Early varieties of turnip are best sown in two-week intervals from March until June, after which they will be ready to harvest from May until September. There is only an 8-week period between sowing the seeds and harvesting the vegetable.
Maincrop varieties take a little longer to produce, but still only 12 weeks. Maincrop varieties of turnip are again, sown at intervals to avoid a glut of vegetables, between July and August, with harvesting ready to commence from October.
Turnip seeds are sown directly into the permanent bed as they do not transplant very well.
Prepare drills and plant the turnip seeds 13mm/½in deep, 2.5cm/1 inch apart in rows that are spaced 30cm/1ft apart. The seeds will germinate in 3 - 7 days.
As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle without damaging them, thin them out so that they are approximately 12cm/5in apart.
Maincrop varieties take a little longer to produce, but still only 12 weeks. Maincrop varieties of turnip are again, sown at intervals to avoid a glut of vegetables, between July and August, with harvesting ready to commence from October.
Turnip seeds are sown directly into the permanent bed as they do not transplant very well.
Prepare drills and plant the turnip seeds 13mm/½in deep, 2.5cm/1 inch apart in rows that are spaced 30cm/1ft apart. The seeds will germinate in 3 - 7 days.
As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle without damaging them, thin them out so that they are approximately 12cm/5in apart.
Caring for the turnip plant
Turnips are a very easy vegetable to grow and therefore do not require constant attention.
As long as the soil is kept moist at all times and weed-free, you should have a successful crop of tasty, home grown turnips throughout most of the year.
Ensure that the turnips do not become overcrowded on the plot, as this can cause stunted root growth.
A constant supply of water ensures a rapid growth.
Turnips can be protected from the sun by mulching or can be covered with a layer of compost one month after sowing the seeds. Turnips are not particularly heavy feeders.
As long as the soil is kept moist at all times and weed-free, you should have a successful crop of tasty, home grown turnips throughout most of the year.
Ensure that the turnips do not become overcrowded on the plot, as this can cause stunted root growth.
A constant supply of water ensures a rapid growth.
Turnips can be protected from the sun by mulching or can be covered with a layer of compost one month after sowing the seeds. Turnips are not particularly heavy feeders.
Pests and disease
The removal of weeds that spring up around the turnip plants will help in keeping insects such as aphids and flea beetles at bay.
Brassicas are most susceptible to clubroot, particularly when the soil is very acidic, so keep an eye on the acidity of the soil by regular testing and ensure that the pH always stays above 6.0.
Brassicas are most susceptible to clubroot, particularly when the soil is very acidic, so keep an eye on the acidity of the soil by regular testing and ensure that the pH always stays above 6.0.
Harvesting the turnips
Turnips will be ready to harvest within a matter of 1 - 2 months and it is always pleasing for the gardener to see good results so soon after planting.
Harvest the vegetables when they reach the size of large golf balls or when the roots' diameter measures 7.5 - 10cm /3 - 4 inches. Any bigger than this and the turnips will become less tender and will lose a lot of their flavour.
Ideally, the turnips must be removed from the soil before outside temperatures reach 24°C (75°F). Just pull them gently from the ground after loosening the roots with a garden fork.
Harvest the vegetables when they reach the size of large golf balls or when the roots' diameter measures 7.5 - 10cm /3 - 4 inches. Any bigger than this and the turnips will become less tender and will lose a lot of their flavour.
Ideally, the turnips must be removed from the soil before outside temperatures reach 24°C (75°F). Just pull them gently from the ground after loosening the roots with a garden fork.
Storing the turnips
Turnip roots will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 months, whilst the greens will only last about 7 days. Alternatively, store the roots in a cold, moist place for up to 5 months.
