Things You'll Need:
- Turnip seeds
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Step 1
Choose variety of turnip to grow, but color and shape are a personal preference. Purple Top white Globe is an heirloom that performs well. Scarlet Queen Red Stems look like beets on the outside and are very beautiful. Hakurei is all white and mild tasting.
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Step 2
Decide where to plant the turnips. These vegetables do well in most soils high in nitrogen. If possible, dig compost into the bed the fall before.
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Step 3
Sow the turnip seeds directly outdoors once the soil can be worked. Plant the seeds ½ inch deep. Turnips can also be started indoors by sowing a few seeds in seedling tray compartments. They should eventually be about 4-5 inches apart in the garden. Protect the seedlings from any late frost.
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Step 4
Water the turnips regularly but they do not need additional fertilizer. Turnips can tolerate poor soil.
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Step 5
Turnips are ready to pull up after about 4-6 weeks. The globes should be at least 2 inches around but they will taste fine if they get a little bigger-just don't let them get too big.
