How to Plant & Grow Turnips

Store turnips in a cool dry location.

The terms turnip and rutabaga are often used interchangeably, as these closely related root crops are similar in appearance, growth and flavor. Originating in the temperate regions of Europe, they were introduced to North America in the early 1600s. These root crops provided a source of vitamins and minerals to early Americans, were easy to store for the winter, and provided flavoring for stews and soups. Cut fresh and served raw, turnip makes a crunchy low-calorie snack.

Things You'll Need

• Garden tiller
• Soil test kit
• Garden rake
• Garden hoe
• Soil amendments
• All-purpose fertilizer
• High nitrogen fertilizer
• Organic mulch

Instructions

1. Till the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches in a sunny location. Remove roots, rocks and other debris from the soil. Rake the area smooth.

2. Test the soil to determine its pH. According to North Carolina State University Extension, turnips prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Adjust pH by adding lime to acidic soils with a pH below 6.0, following the application rate on the container of lime.

3. Layer 2 to 4 inches of compost or well-rotted manure over the soil. Add 2 to 4 cups of all-purpose fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet. Work the amendments into top 6 inches of the soil. Dan Drost and Wade Bitner, vegetable specialists from Utah State University, explain that turnips prefer organic rich, well drained soil.

4. Sow seeds to a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch, spaced 2 to 4 inches apart. Allow 18 to 24 inches between rows.

5. Water to moisten the soil to a depth of 1 inch. Keep soil moist until seeds germinate. Under ideal conditions and temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F, turnip seeds germinate in 7 to 10 days.

6. Water deeply to saturate the soil to the root level once or twice a week. According to the Utah State University Extension, turnips require the equivalent of 1 to 2 inches of rain per week.

7. Thin seedlings to 4 inches apart when they are 2 to 4 inches tall. Thinned seedlings can be eaten as turnip greens.

8. Side dress turnips with a high nitrogen fertilizer, such as 21-0-0 or 34-0-0, when they are six weeks old. Sprinkle a band of fertilizer along the row, at a rate of 1/3 cup of per 10 feet of row space. Work into the top 2 to 4 inches with a garden hoe.

9. Mulch with organic matter, such as grass clippings or straw, to conserve water and keep the soil cool. Turnips prefer cool soil and suffer when soil becomes too warm.

Tips & Warnings

• The numbers on a package of fertilizer, 10-10-10 for instance, refer to the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium a fertilizer contains.

References

• University of Arkansas Extension: Turnips-Rutabagas
• North Carolina State University: Turnips and Rutabagas
• Utah State University Extension: Rutabagas and Turnips in the Garden
• North Carolina State University: Versatile Turnips are a Good Source of Nutrients

Resources

• University of Illinois Extension: Turnip/Rutabaga