Turnips are a form ofBrassica rapa, the same species asbok choyand Chinese cabbage.
They can be planted in late winter/early spring or late summer/early fall.
Seeds germinate quickly and mature in about eight weeks.
Getty Images / AnthonyRosenberg
The area should receive full sun.
The soil should be tilled until it is loamy to help root growth and prevent waterlogged roots.
Spacing
Seeds should be sown one to two inches apart in rows 18 to 30 inches apart.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Want more gardening tips?
Soil
The soil should be loamy with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Loose, well-draining, organically rich soil allows the turnip roots to expand and grow easily.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
However, turnip roots do not like to be waterlogged so the soil must drain well.
Improve your soil by adding well-rotted manure or compost in spring or fall.
Turnips do not need more fertilizer than the initial pre-planting program of compost.
The Spruce / Marie Iannotti
Since turnip shoulders are usually above the soil line it is easy to see their size.
To harvest the turnip roots, use a spade to loosen the soil next to the plant.
it’s possible for you to then pull the root from the soil.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Once harvested, the greens can be cut about one inch from the root, washed, and eaten.
Because turnips lose moisture rapidly, they cannot be stored long-term.
Fill the container with potting soil that has been amended with organic matter and water well.
Scatter the seeds and cover with about one inch of soil.
How to Grow Turnips from Seed
Turnips should be direct sowed into garden soil or containers.
As a root vegetable, they do not transplant well.
The seeds will germinate quickly and emerge after about 10 days.
Once the true leaves have emerged, thin the seedlings to allow room for root development.
Turnips are very easy to grow from seed.
Provide full sun, an inch of water per week, and space for the roots to form.
Turnips should be started from seed and reach maturity within eight weeks.
They do not come back and each seed produces one turnip.
