How to Grow Turnips
Members of the mustard family, Turnips are not common crops in home gardens
in the U.S. They are however, quite popular in Europe, and in Canada. This
easy to grow root crop is nutritious and versatile. It tastes good raw, with
dips and cooked. Once you've tasted it, you will be growing turnips, too.
Did you know? In Ireland, Turnips were hollowed out and a small ember
put in them to ward off demons and devils. They were
the first
Jack O"Lanterns.
Varieties or Turnips:
There are round varieties as well as long cylindrical and flat types of turnips.
IMPORTANT: Know the type of turnip seeds you are buying. Some Turnip
varieties, are grown for their roots. Other turnips are grown strictly as
greens, for their edible leaves. Turnip varieties grown for leaves, have
woody roots.
Here are two popular varieties:
Purple Top Turnip
- Grow this turnip for its root. The leaves are edible, too.
Seven Top Turnip
- This turnip produces tasty greens. Its woody roots should not be
eaten.
Sowing Turnip Seeds:
Sow Turnip seeds 1/2 inch deep, spreading the small seeds thinly to an inch
apart in the rows. Space the rows 1 foot apart. Use double rows to conserve
space in your home garden.
Sow seeds early in the spring and again in midsummer, for a fall crop. Although
they can be grown in the summer, the plants prefer cool weather. Leave the
middle of the summer for the heat loving vegetables.
Days to Maturity: 40-55 days
How to Grow Turnips:
Turnip plants are tolerant of poorer soils,. But, they grow better in richer
garden soils, and are less likely to take on a woody texture. Work the soil
and add compost. Make sure to remove any large rocks and stones.
Turnips seeds sprout quickly, in about a week. After two weeks, thin seedlings
to four to five inches apart.
Provide ample water, as the most common cause of woody stems is dry soil.
As with other root crops, the action is below the soil. The leaves may not
tell you when the soil is dry. Our rule of thumb is "when in doubt, water".
If you are growing Turnips just for leaves in salads and soups, provide plenty
of fertilizer and a high nitrogen mix. If you are growing them for the roots,
avoid a high nitrogen fertilizer, which will deter root development.
Also See:
Plant
Problems
Soil
Temperatures - Ideal germination temperature by vegetable
Ideal Soil
pH - by vegetable
Harvesting:
Harvest Turnip leaves for salads as soon as they reach a size large enough
to eat. Four to six inches is ideal. After cutting the leaves, new leaves
will grow. You can usually harvest the leaves several times.
As with most root crops, it is better to pull them while still young and
tender. Begin to harvest Turnips at golf ball size. Once they reach tennis
ball size, the root will become tough and woody.
Some people leave their fall crop in the ground and pick a few, as needed,
well into the winter months. If the root and plant is still growing, they
can become too large. We recommend pulling them, cutting off the leaves and
storing them in a cool, dry place. Many people will store them in their basement
in dry soil, to help retain moisture and freshness.
Insects and Pests:
Turnips are bothered by a variety of insects and pests. The insect world
knows that this vegetable is tasty and nutritious. They include slugs and
snails, aphids, beetles, cutworms and root maggots. Because they grow and
are harvested quickly, large infestations are not often a problem in the
home gardens. By the time you spot a problem, it is time to harvest.
Disease:
Occasional mildews and a white blister disease can affect the crop. However,
it is infrequent.
Hardiness:
Turnips are cool weather crops and withstand light freezes.
Recipes: May we suggest:
More Information:
Carving
Turnips - to ward off evil spirits.
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