Tips for Growing Turnip Greens

Temperature

• Turnips are a cool-season vegetable. Plant turnips in early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Late spring or early summer turnips will be smaller than those planted in late summer for a fall harvest but will be no less nutritious. The earlier you plant turnips the better. Turnips flower when the days get longer and warmer and the greens will become more bitter. Plant for a fall turnip crop about 100 days before the first frost.

Sunlight, Soil and Water

• Turnips grow well in most types of garden soil and need at least six hours of sunlight for the best growth. Add compost or slow-release fertilizer (8-4-4) to the soil and plant the seedlings 6 to 8 inches apart. If you are sowing turnip seeds directly into the soil, plant them to a depth of 1/2 inch. Turnips need consistent watering for germination and lush growth. Water daily during dry weather to a depth of 4 inches.

Pests

• Aphids may attack turnips greens, forming large colonies on the undersides of the leaves. Aphids suck plant sap, causing the leaves to yellow, wilt and die back. If your turnip plants are infested with aphids, introduce ladybird beetles. They are an effective natural control for aphids. Spider mites are small, soft-bodied insects that form webs at the base of the leaf near the plant stem. They are more common in hot weather and can be controlled with insecticidal soap.

Harvesting

• Begin harvesting turnip greens when the plants are 4 to 6 inches tall. Harvest only the outer leaves so the plant will continue to grow and provide additional harvests of greens or roots. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to snip off the leaves about 2 inches from the ground. To keep the plant robust, regularly remove wilted, browned or damaged leaves. Soak the harvested greens in a bowl of cold water and rinse carefully before cooking.