How to Grow a Turnip Bed

Turnips have been grown and eaten since prehistoric times, according to the University of Illinois. These vegetables can be planted in the spring, late summer or fall. If planting in the fall, make sure that you get them in the ground 70 days before the first frost of the year. It typically takes turnips two months from planting to be ready to harvest. Regardless of when you plant your turnip bed, proper care is essential for a productive harvest.

Shovel
Mulch
Fertilizer
Garden fork

Instructions

- 1
  Broadcast turnip seeds in rows. Plant three to 30 seeds in each row and space the rows 12 to 24 inches apart from each other. Cover the seeds with 1/2 inch of dirt. Water the area until the soil is moist.
- 2
  Dig up turnip seedlings when they grow to 4 inches in height. Space the seedlings 4 to 6 inches apart from each other. Create small trenches in between rows that are 2 to 3 inches in depth.
- 3
  Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the rows of turnips to help keep the soil moist and reduce your weed population. Hand pull any weeds that pop up in the turnip bed.
- 4
  Fertilize your turnip plants when they are one-third of the way grown with 3 1/3 tsp. of ammonium nitrate per 100 feet of row space. Apply the fertilizer on the sides of the plants and water the nutrients into the soil.
- 5
  Dig up a turnip to see if they are ready to harvest by pressing a garden fork underneath the turnip and lifting it through the soil. Harvest your turnips when they are 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

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