Turnip Farming Guide: How to Grow Healthy and Flavorful Turnips

Binomial Name: Brassica rapa

Common Varieties: Purple Top, White Egg

Turnips are fast-growing, nutrient-rich root vegetables that thrive in cool seasons. Whether you’re a home gardener or a commercial farmer, growing turnips can be rewarding with the right conditions and care. This guide covers everything you need to know—from soil preparation to harvesting and seed storage.

Turnips

🏡 Growing Conditions

• Soil: Turnips prefer well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. They can tolerate slightly alkaline soils.

• Moisture: Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing period. Loosen soil deeply or use raised beds to promote strong root growth.

• Climate: Best growth occurs in cool weather. Turnips are biennial plants grown as annuals, maturing quickly in about 30–60 days.

• Soil Quality: While they can tolerate poor soils, nutrient-deficient or compacted soils lead to slower growth and poorer flavor.

Turnips

🌿 Planting Turnips

• Sowing Depth: Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, spacing them 1 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.

• Thinning: Once seedlings emerge, thin plants to 4–6 inches apart to allow full root development.

• Succession Planting: Sow new seeds every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the season.

• Pest Protection: Use floating row covers to protect young plants from insects.

• Crop Rotation: Avoid planting turnips or other cole crops (e.g., cabbage, kale, broccoli) in the same area more than once every 3–4 years to reduce disease buildup.

Alternaria leaf spot

🐛 Common Pests and Diseases

Turnips are susceptible to several pests and diseases that can affect yield and quality. Below are the most common ones and their symptoms:

Fungal and Bacterial Diseases

1. Anthracnose: Gray or straw-colored spots that cause leaf yellowing and wilting.

2. Alternaria Leaf Spot: Small, dark, round lesions with concentric rings.

3. Cercospora Leaf Spot: Circular green-to-gray spots with brown borders, leading to defoliation.

4. Downy Mildew: Yellow patches with gray fuzzy mold on undersides of leaves.

5. White Spot: Light-gray spots with dark centers, leading to leaf drop.

6. Sclerotinia Rot (White Mold): White cottony growth on stems; black sclerotia form later.

7. Clubroot: Swollen, deformed roots and stunted plants.

8. Black Root: Dark discoloration and constriction on taproots.

9. Wirestem (Damping-Off): Seedling death due to stem rot near the soil line.

10. Black Rot: Yellow, V-shaped leaf lesions and dark stem rings.

11. Turnip Mosaic Virus: Mosaic patterns, necrotic streaks, and stunted growth.

Leaf with white spots

Insect Pests

12. Flea Beetles: Tiny holes on leaves; plants may appear “shot-holed.”

13. Wireworms: Feed on roots and stems, causing seedling death.

14. Cabbage Aphids: Gray-green soft-bodied insects causing stunted growth.

15. Root Maggots: White larvae tunnel into roots, causing scarring and decay.

Tip: Integrated pest management (IPM) practices—such as crop rotation, row covers, and biological controls—help minimize chemical use and maintain healthy crops.

Leaf with white spots

🌾 Harvesting Turnips

Turnips are cool-season root crops that deliver their best flavor and texture when grown in mild temperatures.

• Harvest Time:

  • Turnips: Ready in 1–2 months after sowing.

  • Rutabagas: Mature in 3–4 months.

• For Greens: Harvest outer leaves early while leaving inner leaves to continue growing. Store unwashed greens in the refrigerator and use promptly.

• For Roots: Harvest when roots are 2–3 inches in diameter. Loosen the soil before pulling to avoid damage. Cut tops, leaving about ½ inch of stem attached.

Leaf with gray lessions

🌾 Seed Saving and Storage

• Allow pods to dry to a light brown color before harvesting. Lower pods dry first.

• For small amounts, handpick and open individual pods.

• For large-scale seed collection, uproot entire plants once most pods are dry.

• Avoid using green pods, as they typically yield non-viable seeds.

• Store dried seeds in a cool, dry, and airtight container for future planting.

Clubroot

💡 Quick Growing Tips

✅ Maintain consistent watering for sweeter roots.
✅ Use mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent weeds.
✅ Avoid excessive nitrogen—it encourages leaf growth over root development.
✅ Rotate crops regularly to prevent soil-borne diseases.

Cabbage aphids

🌍 Conclusion

Turnips are an excellent addition to any garden or farm—nutritious, fast-growing, and versatile. With proper soil management, pest control, and harvesting techniques, you can enjoy a steady supply of delicious turnips and greens all season long.