Turnips


Turnips are an undervalued crop: they're easy to grow, tasty and nutritious. Plant turnips to mature in cool weather as hot weather creates a strong-tasting turnip.

 

Turnips like soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. Dig in a two-inch (5 cm) layer of compost. Add lime if necessary. Unlike other brassicas, turnips and swedes are light feeders.

 

Example pic

 

Plant turnips in early spring, four to six weeks before last frost. Turnip seeds will germinate in soil temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C), but temperatures of 45°-85°F (7°-29°C) are preferable.

 

Turnips thrive in a growing temperature of about 68°F (20°C).

 

Sow turnip seeds 1/4-1/2 an inch (6-12 mm) deep, one inch (25 mm) apart, with 18 inches (46 cm) between rows. Thin to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) apart.

 

Swedes will grow in average soil. Too much organic matter or nitrogen can caused malformed roots. The pH level for Swedes should be from 6.5 to 7.2. Add lime if needed.

 

Swedes take a long time to mature and don't like hot, dry weather. Planted in the spring and harvested in the summer, they'll be bitter. Planted early to mid summer and harvested in the autumn, they'll be sweet.

 

Direct sow seeds three to four months before the first autumn frost, depending on variety. Sow seeds 1/2 an inch (12 mm) deep, two inches (5 cm) apart, with 18 inches (46 cm) between rows. Thin to 6-9 inches (15-23 cm), depending on size of variety.