Growing Turnip

brassica rapa var. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P P P P P       P P P  

(Best months for growing Turnip in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 54°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 5 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 6-9 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Chives, Spinach, Carrots, Chicory
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes, Tomatoes
  • Turnips

Round, root vegetable. The flesh is white. Turnips take about 6 to 10 weeks to reach a use-able size.

Sow every three or four weeks for a continuous supply.

Water regularly.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Turnip

Grate young turnips and use raw in salads.
Use older turnips in casseroles and stews.

That really depends on your growing climate and what you plan to use them for. Purple Top White Globe is a great standard turnip for most uses, but for pickling/ preserving you might want a smaller & sweet/spicy turnip like Tokyo Cross Hybrid. Amalie Hybrid works in zone 10 pretty well, according to friends who garden there.

- V

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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