Growing Turnip: How to Plant, Care, and Harvest Successfully

Choosing the Right Turnip Varieties

Every time I plant turnips, I feel like I'm about to unearth edible treasure. But before plunging hands into soil, select a turnip variety suited to your climate and tastes.

I remember planting 'Purple Top White Globe' in my garden last spring. Hardy, reliable, and perfect for roasting or soups—it's a mainstay for good reason.

Want something a little different? Try Japanese 'Hakurei' turnips; sweet, tender, and delightful raw in salads.

Picking the Ideal Spot for Growing Turnip

Turnips thrive in cool weather, preferring temperatures around 50–70°F (10–21°C). They enjoy full sun but won't complain about partial shade.

Make sure the soil drains well and stays loose. Heavy clay? Mix in compost or organic matter to lighten things up and add nutrients.

"Great vegetables start from the ground up. Invest your care in the soil; the soil will repay you tenfold."

Sowing Seeds the Right Way

Timing is everything with turnips. Sow seeds directly into the garden about 4–6 weeks before your last spring frost or in late summer for a fall harvest.

Here's how I do it:

1. Loosen the soil to about 12 inches (30 cm) deep.
2. Scatter seeds thinly, about ½ inch (1–1.5 cm) deep in rows spaced 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart.
3. Cover lightly with soil and water gently but thoroughly.

Thinning Out Seedlings

Now, fair warning: thinning seedlings always pains me slightly. Pulling healthy plants feels counterintuitive, but overcrowding results in smaller turnips.

When seedlings reach 3 inches (7.5 cm) tall, thin them out to about 4 inches (10 cm) apart. Your turnips—and your recipes—will thank you later for their plumpness.

Care and Maintenance of Growing Turnip

Turnips keep gardening refreshingly simple. They ask little but return plenty.

• Water regularly to keep soil moist but never soggy. In my garden, about an inch (2.5 cm) per week does the trick.
• Keep weeds away by regular cultivation or by mulching lightly.
• Watch out for common pests like flea beetles. A floating row cover protects young plants beautifully.

Last season, I neglected the mulch a bit, letting weeds creep nearer than ideal. Turnips grew smaller—lesson learned.

Harvesting Turnips Properly

I pick turnips when they reach around 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) across. Any larger, and they risk turning woody or bitter.

Gently loosen soil around the roots, then lift your turnips from the ground. Trim greens immediately, leaving about an inch (2.5 cm) attached to keep moisture and flavor intact.

Turnip greens, by the way, offer a delicious bonus sautéed or stirred into hearty stews.

"The joy of gardening is equally felt in the harvesting as it is in planting—the cycle completing itself from soil to table."

Storing Your Harvested Turnips

Store turnips in a cool, humid place—ideally around 32–40°F (0–4°C). I use my refrigerator crisper drawer, wrapped loosely in damp paper towels. They stay fresh, crunchy, and deliciously satisfying for weeks.

Growing turnip is as rewarding as gardening gets. Simple steps, humble needs, extraordinary results—exactly why I return to turnips season after season.

Growing turnip blends patience and care, rooted firmly in simplicity. Remember, good soil—rich, loose, and free-draining—is your greatest ally, offering turnips the ideal home. Keep seeds spaced, water regularly, and weed thoughtfully for plants that breathe easy and thrive. Timing matters—turnips adore cool seasons, rewarding gardeners who sow early spring or late summer with tender, flavorful roots. Don’t neglect thinning seedlings, allowing space for growth into hearty harvests. Trust your senses and let nature lead; soon enough, savor the satisfaction of pulling brilliant turnips fresh from your own garden.