Description

Turnips are at their best in cool weather making them ideal for cooler northern regions. Turnips are grown for their leaves and roots and they do well in storage.

How do I Grow Turnips?

Direct sow your turnip seeds into their container before last spring frost or 30 days before the first Autumn frost for winter harvests.  Sow them 1/2 inch deep in at a spacing of 9 per square foot. Keep your container’s reservoir full and top water until seeds germinate. They will bolt when the hot weather comes around, so protection is necessary. 

Sow fall crops 8-10 weeks before last fall frost and follow up with several successive plantings to have a continuous harvest.

Companion Plants

Celery, dill, camomile, sage, peppermint, rosemary, onions and potatoes

Nutrition

Vitamin C (46%), Manganese (9%), Copper (6%)

Harvesting

Pull your turnips as you need them, but before the frost sets in as frost can damage the plant.  Store your turnip roots in damp sand or sawdust in a cool spot.

Preparing and using

Turnips are an awesome root veggie to grow in the fall and winter. They go well roasted with other fall veggies, in soups or stews. 

Helpful Tips and Tricks

Turnips have a long taproot, making them a great veggies to grow in a self watering garden and even a deeper self watering garden than usual.