Turnip Growth

Site Conditions

• Turnips require full sun and well-drained, loose, loamy soil, which allows the turnip roots to form properly to their fullest size. Turnips need a slightly acid soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Soil that has a crust on it will keep turnips from emerging and produce a poor crop. Provide a moderately fertile soil for growth. Adjusting pH levels and fertilizing turnips properly can make up for the lack of natural fertility in the soil.

Growing Season

• When grown for their roots, turnips are mature and ready to harvest in two months. Temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit allow for the best growth of turnip roots. An extended period of cool temperatures in spring after growth has begun can ruin the crop, because they may form seed stalks. Plant turnips in the late winter to early spring to harvest in the spring and avoid the too-warm days of early summer. Plant them in late summer to fall for a winter harvest. Fall crops typically produce larger, sweeter, more tender turnips due to the cool temperatures.

Planting and Care

• Turnip seeds are tiny and not easily planted like larger seeds. Scatter them over the planting bed or plant thickly in a straight, narrow line in the row. Seeding turnips thickly, then thinning the plants allows the turnips to form well-shaped roots. They need a deep watering once a week with 1 to 1-1/2 inches of water. Never over water turnips or they'll grow tough and bitter by harvest. Fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 to avoid reducing root formation while they're growing. Controlling weeds through cultivation and hoeing helps the roots become large and well-formed because it keeps the soil loose and crumbly.

Harvesting

• Harvest turnips when they measure 2 to 3 inches in diameter, when they're at the proper maturity to be tender. They get tough and woody if left to grow too long. During hot weather they can develop a too strong of flavor and become overly soft and mushy instead of mild and tender if left unharvested in the ground.