Growing Turnips: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Growing Turnips: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Welcome to the world of growing turnips (Brassica rapa var. rapa)! These ancient vegetables have been cultivated for over 4,000 years and remain a garden staple. With their quick maturity, dual-purpose harvest (roots and greens), and cold tolerance, turnips are perfect for beginning gardeners looking for a fast, rewarding crop.

Why Grow Turnips?

Fast Growing

Turnips are one of the quickest root vegetables to mature. Many varieties are ready to harvest in just 30-60 days, making them ideal for impatient gardeners or filling gaps in your garden schedule.

Two Crops in One

Unlike most vegetables, turnips offer two harvests:

• Greens: Nutritious leaves ready in 30-40 days
• Roots: Crisp, mild roots ready in 45-60 days

Cold Tolerant

Turnips thrive in cool weather and tolerate light frosts. In fact, cold weather sweetens both the roots and greens, making fall turnips especially delicious.

Easy to Grow

With minimal pest problems and simple care requirements, turnips succeed even in challenging conditions. They're forgiving of less-than-perfect soil and don't require extensive preparation.

Nutritional Value

Turnips and their greens are nutritious:

• Roots: Good source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium
• Greens: Excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, and calcium
• Low in calories (only 28 calories per 100g)
• Contains glucosinolates (cancer-fighting compounds)

Understanding Turnips

Plant Anatomy

• Root: The swollen, edible taproot (white, purple, or yellow)
• Greens: Nutritious leaves that grow from the crown
• Crown: Junction between root and leaves
• Taproot extension: The "tail" below the edible root

Types of Turnips

Climate Requirements

Choosing Your Varieties

Best Varieties for Beginners

Quick-Maturing (30-45 days):

Standard (45-60 days):

For Greens:

Pro Tip: Start with 'Purple Top White Globe' for roots or 'Hakurei' for a sweet, tender salad turnip that's delicious raw.

What You'll Need

Essential Supplies

• Seeds (turnips are almost always direct-seeded)
• Well-draining soil
• Compost or aged manure
• Balanced fertilizer
• Mulch (optional)
• Row covers (optional, for pest protection)

Space Requirements

• Spacing: 4-6 inches apart for roots
• Row spacing: 12-18 inches
• For greens only: 2-3 inches apart
• Container size: 12+ inches deep, 12+ inches wide

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

Step 1: When to Plant

Spring Planting:

• Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost
• Soil temperature: 40-75°F (4-24°C)
• Cool soil slows germination but plants thrive in cool weather

Fall Planting (Often Best):

• Direct sow 6-10 weeks before first fall frost
• Fall turnips are sweeter due to cool temperatures
• Less pest pressure than spring

Step 2: Preparing the Soil

1. Choose a sunny to partly shady location
2. Loosen soil 8-12 inches deep
3. Remove rocks and debris (causes forked roots)
4. Work in 2-3 inches of compost
5. Rake smooth for even seeding

Step 3: Planting Seeds

1. Create shallow furrows 1/4 - 1/2 inch deep
2. Sow seeds 1 inch apart
3. Cover lightly with soil
4. Water gently but thoroughly
5. Expect germination in 3-10 days

Step 4: Thinning (Critical Step!)

Thinning is essential for good root development:

1. Thin when seedlings are 2-3 inches tall
2. Space 4-6 inches apart for root harvest
3. Space 2-3 inches apart for greens only
4. Use thinnings in salads (they're edible!)

Care and Maintenance

Watering

Consistent moisture is key for tender, mild turnips:

• 1 inch of water per week
• Keep soil evenly moist
• Inconsistent watering causes bitter, woody roots
• Mulch helps retain moisture

Fertilizing

Note: Avoid excess nitrogen—it promotes leafy growth at the expense of roots.

Mulching

• Apply 1-2 inches of organic mulch after thinning
• Keeps soil cool and moist
• Suppresses weeds

Common Problems and Solutions

Pests

Diseases

Environmental Issues

Problem: Bitter taste

• Cause: Heat stress, drought, or harvested too late
• Solution: Plant in cool weather, water consistently, harvest young

Problem: Woody, fibrous roots

• Cause: Over-mature, hot weather, or water stress
• Solution: Harvest at 2-4 inches, grow in cool weather

Problem: Cracked roots

• Cause: Irregular watering or rapid growth after drought
• Solution: Consistent moisture, mulch

Problem: Forked or misshapen roots

• Cause: Rocky soil, fresh manure, or overcrowding
• Solution: Remove rocks, use well-composted material, thin properly

Harvesting Turnips

Harvesting Greens

• Begin when leaves are 4-6 inches long
• Cut outer leaves, leaving inner ones to continue growing
• Or cut entire plant at 2 inches for "cut-and-come-again"
• Best harvested in morning when most crisp

Harvesting Roots

• Baby turnips: 1-2 inches diameter (sweetest)
• Standard: 2-4 inches diameter
• Don't let roots exceed 4 inches (become woody)
• Gently pull or loosen with fork

Storage

• Refrigerator: 2-3 weeks (remove greens first)
• Root cellar: 3-5 months at 32-40°F, 90-95% humidity
• In-ground: Mulch heavily and harvest as needed through winter
• Greens: Use within 3-5 days (refrigerated)

Quick Reference Guide

Troubleshooting Guide

Problem: Seeds not germinating

• Cause: Soil too hot (>85°F), too dry, or seeds planted too deep
• Solution: Plant in cooler weather, keep moist, plant shallowly

Problem: All leaves, tiny roots

• Cause: Too much nitrogen, too crowded, or hot weather
• Solution: Reduce fertilizer, thin properly, plant in cool season

Problem: Plants bolting (flowering)

• Cause: Heat stress or long days
• Solution: Plant in early spring or fall, harvest before bolting

Problem: Slow growth

• Cause: Cold soil, poor nutrition, or compacted soil
• Solution: Wait for warmer soil, add compost, loosen soil

Next Steps

Once you've mastered basic turnip growing:

1. Try different varieties (Japanese salad types, colorful varieties)
2. Experiment with succession planting for continuous harvest
3. Grow turnips as a cover crop/green manure
4. Save seeds from the best plants (biennial—seeds in year 2)

Turnips are the unsung heroes of the vegetable garden—quick, reliable, nutritious, and delicious. Start with a fall planting and discover why this ancient vegetable has stood the test of time!