How to Grow & Care for Turnips

Turnips: the vegetable that’s part potato, part radish, and 100% underrated. Often dismissed as the bland cousin of more glamorous root vegetables, turnips are actually fast-growing, easy-to-care-for, and surprisingly versatile in the kitchen. If you’re ready to give this classic crop a well-deserved comeback in your garden (and on your plate), here’s how to do it.

Turnip Basics: What You Need to Know

Turnips come in all shapes, sizes, and colors—white, yellow, green, even purple! Some are as small as golf balls, while others can grow to the size of a respectable tennis ball. Regardless of variety, they thrive in most climates.

• Cold Climates: Plant between August and March.
• Warmer Climates: Avoid the peak summer heat; instead, plant in late summer, fall, or early spring.
• Harvest Time: Anywhere from 5 to 12 weeks after planting, depending on the variety.

Bonus: You can eat both the roots and the leafy tops! Young leaves work great as a spinach alternative, while mature leaves add depth to soups and stews. The roots? Roast them, mash them, or eat them raw if you're feeling adventurous.

Top 5 Steps to Growing Turnips

1. Pick the Right Spot
   Choose a full-sun location that hasn’t recently grown other brassicas like cabbage or broccoli. (Crop rotation helps keep soil diseases at bay.)

2. Prepare the Soil
   Before planting, mix in some compost or an all-purpose soil improver. Turnips prefer loose, well-draining soil—so break up any clumps while you're at it.

3. Plant the Seeds
   Directly sow seeds about 5mm deep in damp soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Germination happens in about 7-10 days.

4. Maintain and Mulch
   Once seedlings are 10-15cm tall, give them a little boost with an organic plant food. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and keep pesky weeds away.

5. Harvest at the Right Time
   Some varieties are ready in just 35-40 days when the roots reach golf-ball size. Others take up to 12 weeks. Turnips taste best before flowering—after that, they become tough and fibrous.

   And don’t forget the greens! You can snip leaves throughout the season, just don’t take more than half at once or the plant will stage a protest and stop growing.

Growing Turnips in Pots

No garden? No problem! Turnips do just fine in medium-to-large pots (at least 40cm deep and wide).

• Fill the pot with a high-quality organic potting mix and water it to moisten the soil.
• Sow seeds 5mm deep and 7cm apart.
• Once seedlings are 10-15cm tall, feed them with an all-purpose organic fertilizer.
• Keep the soil moist and mulch around the plants to help retain moisture.
• Follow the same harvesting rules as garden-grown turnips!

Pests & Problems: The Usual Suspects

• Slugs and Snails – These slimy thieves love turnip seedlings. Combat them with beer traps (yes, beer—because even pests appreciate a good brew) or use organic slug and snail pellets.
• Aphids – If you notice tiny green invaders on your turnip leaves, a strong blast of water or insecticidal soap should evict them.
• Root Maggots – These underground nuisances chew up roots before you even know they’re there. Using row covers can help keep them away.

Turnip Storage & Cooking Tips

• Storage: Fresh turnips last a week in the fridge. For longer storage, blanch and freeze them.
• Cooking: Turnips can be roasted, mashed, steamed, or eaten raw (if you like a little peppery bite). And don’t forget the greens—they’re fantastic in stir-fries, soups, and stews!

Final Thoughts

Turnips may not have the star power of trendy kale or heirloom tomatoes, but they’re reliable, nutritious, and ridiculously easy to grow. Give them a spot in your garden (or a pot on your patio), and you’ll be rewarded with a steady supply of delicious, no-fuss veggies. Happy growing!