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Turnips and rutabagas perform well in Michigan because of its cool spring and fall weather. Both do best with a pH of 6.4 or above and abundant potash and phosphorus. You can sow seeds as soon as the soil warms to 40°F.
What month do you plant turnips?
Turnip greens are easy to grow in any well-drained soil. Set out turnip green plants 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring and from late August to October for a fall crop in most areas. In zones 9 and 10 they can be planted throughout fall and winter.
When should you plant turnips for food plots?
Turnips grow fairly quickly and reach maturity in 75 to 90 days. They grow well in both southern and northern climates. Turnips can be planted in late summer in northern climates or early fall in the southern states.
How long do turnips take to grow?
Turnips are quick and easy to grow from seed, ready to harvest in as little as six to ten weeks. They like cool, moisture-retentive soil, in an open, sunny location.
What is the best turnip to plant for deer?
Purple Top Turnip a brassica family plant that deer love to consume. This nutritious turnip has the characteristic of growing with the globe exposed so deer have easy access to the entire plant in food plots. The plant and roots are nutritious and protein filled, readily consumed by deer.
Do turnips grow back every year?
Turnips are hardy biennials, even though we treat them as annuals. They naturally flower and go to seed (bolt) in the second year.
How long does it take for turnips to germinate?
Germination takes 7–10 days at an optimum soil temperature between 65–85° F. Thin seedlings to 3–4 inches apart to harvest roots, or allow them to remain crowded if you primarily desire the leafy greens. Keep evenly moist to grow the crop fast and tender.
How late can you plant turnips in Michigan?
Preparation and planting You can sow seeds as soon as the soil warms to 40°F. For turnips, successive plantings at three week intervals will ensure a continuous crop. Due to its longer growing season, rutabaga is generally only sown once, and usually planted in mid-June to mid-July for fall harvest.
What grows well with turnips?
Turnips Are Terrific Companions Squash, tomatoes, celery, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, beans, onions, garlic, lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, cauliflower, and radishes all flourish when planted interspersed with turnips.
How do I know when my turnips are ready?
Turnips are ready to harvest 40 to 55 days after planting. If harvesting the leaves, they are ready when they reach 4-6 inches in height. If only harvesting the leaves, cut them from the plant when they reach the desired size, leaving 1 inch of leaves above the crown of the plant. More leaves will grow in their place.
How often do you water turnips?
Water. At least 1 inch of water per week is vital for good root development. Turnips need to grow quickly, and regular water along with a rich soil, will help them do that.
Can you grow turnips in a container?
You can use window boxes or use standard pots and maintain at least 4 inches of spacing. Considering this, a 12 inches wide round pot can accommodate 3 turnips, and up to 4 if you want to overfill it. Turnips don’t respond well to transplanting, so directly transplant them to the desired container.
Can you plant turnips in the spring for deer?
Both turnips and radishes tend to mature much quicker when planted during the spring. This results in these crops becoming non palatable to deer rapidly. You might try buckwheat as the seed is relatively small and often grows well when broadcast into a good seedbed.
Can you frost seed turnips?
Frost seeding clover will work great. The turnip seed in August will work as long as you get a rain to put it into the ground. My advice, try to do it while it is raining. The seed will hit the already softened ground and additional rain will work it in.
Do turnips like full sun?
Turnips generally require a full sun location but will tolerate partial shade, especially if you plan on harvesting the plant for its greens. Preparing the bed to grow turnip plants in is easy.
Can turnips handle frost?
Root crops like carrots, turnips, beets, rutabagas and parsnips can remain in the garden after a frost and still be removed in good condition later, but get them dug and stored before the ground freezes.
Can you eat turnips after they sprout?
While the root might be salvaged by peeling and stewing it, you can also replant it in a flowerpot and use the tender new leaves for greens. Alternately, you can cut off the top at 2 inches below the sprouting leaves, set it aside and cook the turnip root in a stew.
How long can I leave turnips in the ground?
They do rot after one week, so if you lose track of them after putting them in the ground, those Bells will be wasted and your storage efforts will be for nothing. Like we suggested to do inside the house, you may as well design parts of your island around turnips if you plan on keeping a lot of them.
