Turnips are hearty and nutritious root vegetables that have been cultivated for centuries. They’re one of the first crops ready to harvest in spring, and both the roots and leaves are edible and oh-so-delicious. Read on to learn all about planting turnip seeds so you can enjoy a bountiful spring and fall harvest of wholesome turnip roots and greens.
In general, growing turnips from seed is remarkably straightforward. These low-maintenance root vegetables grow best in cool weather and can withstand light frosts. Furthermore, they’re amazingly fast growers. Some turnip varieties are ready to pick in as little as 30 days.
If you’ve never tried planting turnips from seed in your home veggie garden before, rest assured that you won’t be disappointed. This cool-season root crop will reward your efforts with a quick and satisfying harvest that requires very little effort. Are you ready to discover how to plant turnip seeds and grow the best root veggies you’ve ever tasted? Let’s dig in!
Tips and Tricks for Planting Turnip Seeds
Turnips (Brassica rapa) aren’t fussy about their growing conditions. All they need to flourish is loose, fertile soil that drains well, consistent moisture, and plenty of sunshine. Their short growing season makes them ideal candidates for succession planting. This is the practice of replacing cool-weather veggies with warm-season crops when temperatures get hotter.
Turnips are members of the Brassica plant family. They’re related to root vegetables like kohlrabi, rutabagas, and radishes, as well as leafy greens such as bok choy, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kale. Although they’re primarily cultivated as annual root crops, turnip plants are biennials. They develop their leaves and roots during the first growing season, then grow flower stalks and produce seeds in their second year.
How to Plant Turnip Seeds
Like many other root crops, turnips grow best when the seeds are sown directly in the ground. Since they mature so fast, planting turnip seeds indoors in late winter or early spring doesn’t offer any significant advantages.
Plant turnip seeds two to three weeks before your region’s average last frost date for a late spring harvest or as soon as you can work the soil. For a fall crop of turnips, sow seeds in late summer, about six to eight weeks before your first autumn frost. Plant the seeds a quarter to half-inch deep and about one inch apart, then lightly cover them with soil and compost. It’s helpful to pre-moisten the soil to avoid disturbing the tiny seeds after planting.
Turnips usually germinate in about three to ten days. When the seedlings are about four inches tall, thin them out to a plant spacing of four to six inches, depending on the variety.
Here are a few of the best varieties of turnips to grow in your veggie garden.
Best Turnip Varieties
- Gold Ball (heirloom, sweet flavor, 5-6″ wide, 14-25″ tall, golden skin and flesh, 40-45 days to maturity)
- Hakurei (hybrid, sweet flavor, 2-4″ wide, 14-22″ tall, smooth white roots, 35-45 days to maturity)
- Manchester Market (heirloom, peppery flavor, 3-5″ wide, 8-12″ tall, green above the soil and white below, 60-70 days to maturity)
- Purple Top White Globe (heirloom, sweet flavor, 4-6″ wide, 12-15″ tall, purple above the soil line and white below, 55-60 days to maturity)
- Scarlet Queen (hybrid, mild flavor, 2-3″ wide, 12-18″ tall, red skin with white flesh, 40-45 days to maturity)
How to Grow Turnips from Seed
Plant turnips in an area of your garden that gets partial shade to full sun, where they’ll receive at least five or six hours of direct sunlight throughout the day. In addition, keep the soil consistently moist, as drying out might cause the roots to split and develop a woody texture. Furthermore, soil that’s too dry can also lead to premature bolting, where the plant suddenly produces a flower stalk and goes to seed.
However, the soil must not stay oversaturated or soggy for long periods, either. Overwatering leads to disease problems like root rot and downy mildew. Instead, try to keep the soil at a consistency similar to that of a wrung-out sponge. How often to water turnips depends on the environmental conditions, so it’s best to adapt your watering schedule accordingly.
The ideal temperature range for growing turnips from seed is 40-75℉ or 4-24°C. Turnips tolerate frost much better than heat, and hot weather often triggers bolting. Colder temperatures (down to 26℉ or -3°C) may damage turnip leaves slightly, but it won’t kill the plant. However, they need protection from hard freezes below 25℉ or -4°C. Use a cold frame, frost cloth, row cover, old blankets and towels, or a thick layer of mulch.
Turnip plants suffer when they have to compete with weeds. However, be careful when weeding to avoid damaging the turnip roots. Apply mulch to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and insulate the soil. Or, plant shallow-rooted leafy greens like lettuce and spinach between your turnips to keep weeds out and maximize your growing space. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to amend the soil with extra compost or organic fertilizer to ensure the plants have enough nutrients to thrive.
If any of your turnip plants bolt and begin flowering, you can leave them in the ground and collect the seed pods to plant next year as long as you don’t need the garden space for other warm-season vegetables. Once the seed pods have dried out and turned brown, gently pull them off the plant. Store the pods in a cool, dry location to plant next season. But be careful not to leave them on the plants too long. Otherwise, they will split open on their own, and you’ll end up with lots of volunteer turnip seedlings all over your garden.
Harvesting and Storing Turnips
Turnips are usually more tender and sweet when harvested before the plants fully mature. Turnip greens will be ready to harvest within about a month of planting seeds. Depending on which variety you’re growing, the roots take approximately 40-60 days.
If you’d like to grow baby turnips, dig them up when they’re between one and two inches wide. For larger turnips with a stronger flavor, wait until they’re around three to six inches wide. However, keep in mind that turnip roots will develop a woody, fibrous texture if they get left in the ground for too long. In addition, their flavor becomes increasingly sharp and bitter with age.
When gathering your fall crop of turnips, wait for several freezing nights to pass. Turnips tend to taste sweeter after being exposed to a light frost. If your fall turnips are late to mature, protect the plants from hard freezes with a thick layer of mulch until they’re ready to dig up.
Store turnips for up to three or four months in a cool, dark space that consistently stays below 40℉ or 4°C, such as a root cellar or basement. Turnips will keep fresh in the crisper drawer of your fridge for up to two weeks. Place them in a perforated plastic bag, a paper bag, or wrapped in a damp cloth or paper towel. To freeze turnips for long-term storage, blanch them first and store them in a sealed freezer bag. Use your frozen turnips within six months.
Troubleshooting Common Pest and Disease Problems
Although turnip plants are usually quite low-maintenance, they’re occasionally affected by pest and disease problems. Healthy plants are considerably more resilient against attacks from insects and pathogens. Therefore, ensuring that they get the right amount of light, nutrients, and water is their best defense.
The most frequent turnip pests are flea beetles, aphids, and root maggots. To prevent insects from laying eggs on newly sprouted seedlings, protect them with row covers in early spring. If you notice a severe infestation, spray all sides of the plant with an organic insecticide like horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.
Downy mildew, leaf spot, and white mold are prevalent plant disorders that damage turnip crops. These fungal diseases are often more severe in damp, humid conditions. As such, avoid overwatering and provide adequate air circulation between plants. It’s also beneficial to water in the morning and use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to keep the leaves dry.
Clubroot is a Brassica plant disease caused by soil-borne fungi. Infected plants have stunted, yellow leaves and deformed roots. Black root is another soil-based fungal disease that results in discolored and misshapen roots. These fungi can persist in the soil for up to seven years and are difficult to manage due to their fungicide resistance. Be sure to purchase certified disease-free seeds. Additionally, practice crop rotation every two years. Alternate cole crops with non-Brassica plants to prevent pathogens from building up in your garden soil.
If you’d like to learn more about pest and disease problems for turnip plants, this article from Pennsylvania State University’s Plant Village has some helpful information.
Turnips are a remarkably straightforward and worthwhile crop to grow at home. These root vegetables are nutritious and delicious, and they’ll be ready to eat within a few short weeks. Plus, turnip greens are also edible and make a tasty addition to salads, sandwiches, soups, stews, and more. After planting turnip seeds in spring or fall, make sure the plants get plenty of water and sunlight to enjoy a plentiful harvest.
Do you grow turnips in your home vegetable garden? Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about how to plant turnip seeds and share your thoughts in the comments below! I hope you enjoyed this guide for planting turnip seeds, and would greatly appreciate it if you’d share it with your fellow gardening enthusiasts.