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Turnips

Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

Category: Roots

Turnips are biennials usually grown as annuals. Although turnips are more of a staple in European kitchens, many southern gardeners like to grow them for their greens. Turnips grow best in a temperate climate but can endure light frost. Fall crops are usually sweeter and more tender than spring crops—and pests are less of a problem.

How to Grow Turnips

Quick Info

Spacing
4/Square
Depth
0.3 in
0.3 in
Sun
Full Sun
Water
1 in/week
Season
Cool
Frost
Tolerant
Height
12-18 in
Germination
7-14 days
Germination Temp
45-85 °F
Sprout to Harvest
30-50 days
Soil pH
Acidic - Slightly Acidic

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Varieties

Aji Kogane
Aji Kogane Japanese salad turnip with golden skin and sweet flesh. Excellent raw or cooked, easy to grow.
Asuka Akane
Asuka Akane Japanese turnip with magenta color for pickles, stir fries, and salads. Eye-catching for farmers market.
Golden Ball
Golden Ball Distinctive golden-amber roots with mild, sweet yellow flesh mature in 60 days from this 150-year-old heirloom.
Golden Globe
Golden Globe Sweet and firm, these 3-4 inch roots boast unique amber-gold skin and mature in about 55 days.
Hida Beni Red
Hida Beni Red Supremely crisp, sweet, and mild, the white and red, fine-grained flesh makes this a top fresh-eating salad turnip.
Just Right
Just Right This award-winning turnip produces exceptionally large, mild-flavored roots up to 6 inches across, maintaining quality without pithiness.
Miyama
Miyama Superior flavor and texture with crack resistance and rugged growth habit. Gourmet, easy-to-grow and highly nutritious offering.
Nagasaki Akari Kabu
Nagasaki Akari Kabu Stunningly beautiful and delicious turnip traditionally grown in Nagasaki, Japan. Sweet, plum colored skin and crisp flesh.
View all 17 varieties →

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Nutrition

Vitamins

Nutrients

Pests

Diseases

Beneficial Critters

Growing from Seed

Scatter turnip seed and cover very lightly with soil.

Planting Considerations

Soil should be well-draining and loosened to a depth of 12 to 15 inches.

Harvesting

Harvest some turnips very early as greens. Harvest early types after about 5 weeks; maincrop types after 6 to 10 weeks. Harvest turnips at any size you wish. The small, young turnips are nice and tender. Pull mature turnips before they become woody and before the first frost.

Storage

Store for up to 3 or 4 months in a cool outdoor place covered with straw.

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