Dr. Leigh Whittinghill, Assistant Professor of Urban Agriculture
Turnips are a member of the mustard family, grown for their roots and greens. Other popular crops in this family include broccoli, cabbage and radishes. Turnips are considered cool season crops, so they do not grow well and can start to taste bitter when the weather gets hot during summer.
Planting
The earliest and latest planting dates for turnips vary depending on what region of Kentucky they are grown in:
oMarch 1 and August 15 for western KY
oMarch 10 and August 1 for central KY
oMarch 15 and July 15 eastern KY
Seed can be broadcasted or planted individually at a depth of 1/2 inch.
Final plant spacing should be 3-to-4 inches for turnip roots and 2-to-3 inches for turnip greens.
If growing in a container, it should be 8 inches deep.
Care and Harvest
Weeds are unlikely to be an issue because turnips germinate and grow quickly.
Water about 1 inch per week (including rain), taking special care during root enlargement.
Excess nitrogen may reduce yields.
Turnips roots are ready to harvest 40-to-60 days after planting, and greens are ready 30-to-50 days after planting in the spring. Both roots and greens are ready for harvest 50-to-60 days after planting in the fall.
Turnip roots should be harvested when they reach 2-to-3 inches in diameter. If left to grow larger, they may get woody.