When Can You Buy Turnips to Plant?

Timing

• Turnips are a cool-weather crop. They grow quickly, and should be planted as early in the spring as possible or approximately 100 days before frost in fall. They will wilt in hot summer temperatures.

  Turnips are rarely planted from seedlings. They grow best when planted sown directly from seed. Plant seeds directly into tilled soil as early as February, as soon as the soil is warm enough to till.

  Purchase seeds in January or February for spring planting. If local nurseries and garden shops are not yet carrying seeds, order online or via a seed catalog. Buy seeds in July or August for early fall planting.

Spacing

• Use wide rows of approximately 16 inches, and thin plants to 2 to 4 inches spacing. Do not thin plants if you only wish to harvest greens. Thinning is necessary only for root crops. Sow seeds at a depth of approximately 1/2 inch. Use broadcast planting to spread seeds quickly over a large area, and then use a rake to pull soil over the seeds. Thin seedlings once they are about four to five inches tall. Do not dispose of thinned seedlings. Boil the greens or use them as animal fodder.

Care

• Water turnips to a depth of approximately 1 inch once per week or the roots will toughen and their flavor will be bitter. Add thick mulch to protect seedlings from freezing temperatures. Weed often to protect seedlings from being overrun and to keep weeds from stealing nutrients and water from the ground.

Harvesting

• Pull turnips up by hand as soon as they reach maturity. Their mature size depends on their variety. Generally, turnips reach maturity at 2 to 3 inches in diameter. This is a safe size for harvest. Extend the harvest season by leaving turnips in the ground and covering them with hay. Frost sweetens the flavor of the roots, but may damage greens. Harvest greens before frost if you plant to use them.