Gardeners Almanac

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Turnips

Garden Vegetables

How to Grow Turnips in Your Home Garden: A Fast, Dual-Purpose Crop

Turnips are a versatile, quick-growing root vegetable that thrives in Canadian gardens. Both their roots and greens are edible, making them a valuable dual-purpose crop.

Why Grow Turnips?

  • Fast-growing: Harvestable in just 40–60 days.

  • Cool-season crop: Performs best in spring and fall.

  • Dual harvest: Enjoy both turnip roots and greens.

  • Low-maintenance: Easy to grow with minimal input.

Best Turnip Varieties for Canadian Gardens

  • Purple Top White Globe: Classic, reliable heirloom.

  • Hakurei: Tender, sweet, salad-quality roots.

  • Golden Ball: Yellow-fleshed, sweet flavor.

  • Tokyo Cross: Smooth, fast-growing hybrid.

Soil Requirements

  • Type: Loose, well-drained loamy soil.

  • pH: 6.0–7.5.

  • Fertility: Moderate; too much nitrogen may cause leafy growth at the expense of roots.

Avoid compacted or rocky soils to prevent misshapen roots.

Sunlight & Temperature

  • Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

  • Temperature: Best between 10–21°C (50–70°F).

  • Frost Tolerance: Good; roots sweeten after frost.

Planting Guidelines

  • Direct sow: As soon as the soil is workable (April in southern Canada).

  • Fall crop: Sow in mid-July to early August.

  • Spacing:

    • Seeds: 2–4 inches apart.

    • Rows: 12–18 inches apart.

  • Depth: Sow 1/2 inch deep and thin seedlings as needed.

Watering & Feeding

  • Watering: Keep soil consistently moist for even root development.

  • Feeding: Light feeding with compost or balanced fertilizer if needed.

  • Mulch: Helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Yield Per Square Foot

  • Per square foot: 9–16 turnips (after thinning).

Harvest smaller turnips for a sweeter, more tender root.

Common Pests & Diseases

  • Pests: Flea beetles, root maggots, aphids.

  • Diseases: Downy mildew, clubroot.

  • Prevention: Rotate crops, use row covers, avoid wet conditions.

Harvesting Tips

  • Roots are ready when 2–3 inches in diameter.

  • Pull gently by hand or use a garden fork.

  • Harvest greens when leaves are young and tender.

Storage Tips

  • Store roots in the fridge for 2–3 weeks.

  • Can be stored in damp sand in a root cellar.

  • Greens should be used or frozen soon after harvest.

Container Growing

  • Use deep containers (12+ inches).

  • Space 3 inches apart.

  • Water regularly and ensure good drainage.

Enjoying Your Turnips

  • Roast or mash roots.

  • Sauté or steam greens.

  • Add to soups and stews.

  • Enjoy raw in salads (Hakurei variety).

🌿 Turnip Planting Calendar (Southern Canada)

Task Timeline Notes
Direct sow (spring) April Soil should be 5°C (40°F) or warmer
Thin seedlings 1–2 weeks after germination Leave 3–4 inches between roots
Direct sow (fall crop) Mid-July to early August Harvest before first hard frost
Harvest (spring crop) Late May to June Roots 2–3 inches wide
Harvest (fall crop) Sept to early Oct Sweeter after light frost

Turnip Planting Diagram

 Raised Bed Layout (4 ft x 4 ft)

 +-----------------------------+
 | o o o o o o o o             |  o = Turnips (3–4 in. apart)
 | o o o o o o o o             |
 | o o o o o o o o             |
 +-----------------------------+

Container Setup:

  • Use 12+ inch deep pots.

  • Sow densely and thin as needed.

  • Keep well watered.

🍅 Companion Chart: Turnips vs. Radishes vs. Carrots

Feature Turnips Radishes Carrots
Days to Harvest 40–60 days 25–35 days 60–80 days
Yield per sq. ft. 9–16 roots 16–32 roots 9–16 roots
Growth Habit Round taproot + greens Small taproot + greens Long taproot + greens
Best Planting Time Spring & midsummer Spring & late summer Spring & midsummer
Storage Longevity Good (root cellar/fridge) Fair (fridge) Excellent (root cellar)
Container Friendly Yes Yes Yes (deep pots)
Common Uses Roasted, greens, stews Fresh, pickled, salads Roasted, raw, soups

 

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