How to grow Turnips
Brassica rapa
Two crops in one — roots and greens.
Turnips are a fast, hardy cool-season root that gives you both tender greens and crisp roots. Grow them in spring or, better, fall — frost makes the roots sweet.
Grow Turnips with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Turnips at a glance
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 3 in |
| Harvest | 40–55 days |
| Plant | Spring & fall |
| Note | Roots & greens |
How to grow Turnips, step by step
Sow direct
- Direct-sow in cool weather; thin to 3 in for good roots.
- Eat the thinnings as greens.
Grow steady
- Even water grows mild, crisp roots.
- Fall crops are sweetest.
Pull young
- Harvest roots at 2–3 in — bigger ones get woody.
- Pick greens anytime; frost sweetens both.
Turnips problems & fixes
Turnips — Woody roots: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Left too long or grown dry. Pull young; water steadily.
Turnips — Holes in leaves: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Flea beetles/worms. Row cover early.
Turnips — Cracked roots: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Uneven water. Mulch and water steadily.
Recommended turnips varieties
- Purple Top — All-rounder. The classic white-and-purple keeper.
- Hakurei — Sweet / salad. Sweet white salad turnip - eat raw.
- Seven Top — For greens. Grown for its abundant tender greens.
Turnips month-by-month
| January | Off-season. |
|---|---|
| February | Plan beds. |
| March | Sow as soil thaws. |
| April | Spring roots and greens. |
| May | Last spring pulls. |
| June | Too hot — pause. |
| July | Plan fall crop. |
| August | Sow for fall. |
| September | Fall roots size up. |
| October | Sweet after frost. |
| November | Harvest into cold. |
| December | Off-season. |