Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Turnips are one of the fastest cool-season crops, ready in as little as 30 days for greens and 60 days for roots. Direct sow seeds 6mm deep, 2–3cm apart, in rows 30cm wide, thinning to 10–15cm for root production or leaving dense for greens-only. Turnips bolt in heat — target spring sowings 4–6 weeks before last frost or late summer sowings 8–10 weeks before first fall frost. They grow in a wide pH range (5.5–7.0) and tolerate most soil types except dense clay. Incorporate compost before planting. Turnips are light feeders — a balanced fertilizer at sowing is usually sufficient. Keep soil consistently moist at 2.5–4cm per week; irregular watering produces woody, bitter roots. Frost significantly improves flavor by converting starches to sugars — fall turnips are notably sweeter than spring ones.
