Turnip Growing Times in the State of Florida

North Florida

• To avoid the frosts of midwinter and the extreme heat of summer, north Florida gardeners should make a spring planting of turnips anytime from January through April. Fall plantings are best from August through October. With the typically sandy soil of this area, plan on working in both compost and organic matter to improve your soil's water and nutrient-holding capacity. Add at least a 1-inch layer of mushroom compost or 25 to 100 pounds of compost to every 100 square feet of garden bed. To improve soil structure, till in organic matter such as grass clippings or leaves several weeks before planting. Keep the seedbed evenly moist during germination, and water at least twice weekly during dry periods.

Central Florida

• Gardeners in central Florida have two times of year optimal for turnip growing: January through March and September through November. However, the relatively poor native soil of the area needs amendments to improve its productivity. Tilling in 1 to 2 inches of organic matter such as grass clippings or leaves several weeks before planting improves soil structure. Adding 25 to 100 pounds of compost to every 100 square feet and a 1-inch layer of mushroom compost boosts the soil’s nutrient-holding capacity and water retention. These amendments slowly release nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous while helping soil maintain a desirable pH level. Maintain even soil moisture during germination, watering regularly and deeply during dry periods.

South Florida

• When northern gardens start winding down, growers in south Florida should be getting ready for their own gardening season. The best time to plant turnips in this area is October through February. To get around the area’s poor soil, create your own planting mixture made up of 30 percent muck soil or topsoil and 70 percent sand. For best results, use this mixture to create a mounded or raised bed, topped off with a 2-inch layer of compost. Water regularly and deeply during dry periods, keeping the seeds evenly moist during germination. Your turnips benefit from the improved fertility, drainage and water retention.

Pests

• Several insects specialize in eating the foliage of turnips and other members of the large Brassica family. Check your plants weekly for a diamondback moth infestation. Grayish-brown with long antennae in the adult stage, the larval-stage moths drop from plants on a thin silken strand when disturbed. Cabbage loopers -- night-flying moths just over an inch long -- take wing in a characteristic looping pattern. They are bright green as larvae. Two applications of Bacillus thuringiensis applied within 3 to 4 days typically take care of these common pests.