Growing Turnip

brassica rapa var. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P P P     P P      

(Best months for growing Turnip in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 54°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 5 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 6-9 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Chives, Spinach, Carrots, Chicory
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes, Tomatoes
  • Turnips

Round, root vegetable. The flesh is white. Turnips take about 6 to 10 weeks to reach a use-able size.

Sow every three or four weeks for a continuous supply.

Water regularly.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Turnip

Grate young turnips and use raw in salads.
Use older turnips in casseroles and stews.

Your comments and tips

26 Jun 24, Betty (USA - Zone 7b climate)
When can I plant turnip topper greens they do not grow turnips just the greens
17 Nov 23, Larry (USA - Zone 9a climate)
When I plant turnips or radishes they never grow a root. I only get greens. I planted in Compost and fertilized at planting with 13-13-13. What can I do to get the root to grow?
25 Nov 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You are using too high a fertiliser. N is for leaf growth P for roots and K is for flower and seed. So back off the N. Just mix a bit compost to soil and mix in well - plant the seeds and see how they grow. If poorly give a light fertilising.
15 Jul 23, Brian Burger (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Name of best type
25 Jul 23, V (USA - Zone 6b climate)
That really depends on your growing climate and what you plan to use them for. Purple Top White Globe is a great standard turnip for most uses, but for pickling/ preserving you might want a smaller & sweet/spicy turnip like Tokyo Cross Hybrid. Amalie Hybrid works in zone 10 pretty well, according to friends who garden there.
02 Mar 18, kaya (USA - Zone 7a climate)
what is the zone for turnips?
01 Feb 17, Billy Pressley (USA - Zone 8a climate)
What is the best soil to grow turnips
04 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in temperate Australia which could be roughly transposed to your Zone 8. We can sow turnips from Spring until early Summer (about 8 months). Have you considered Swedes (rutabaga) which are a turnip/cabbage cross and are very flavorsome. Trust this helps.
11 Aug 14, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
If I have tilled up my tomatoes, can I plant turnips?

Thanks Liz, we are new to vegie gardening!

- Nikki

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