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Turnips prefer a fertile, well-drained soil, with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Sow early spring through late summer in a 2–4″ wide band, seeds 1″ apart (35 seeds/ft.) for small turnips or 2″ apart (and half this rate) for larger turnips. Sow 1/4– 1/2″ deep in rows 12–18″ apart.
How deep should turnips seeds be planted?
Turnips are seeded directly into the garden; they do not transplant well. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ of an inch deep, 1 inch apart, in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. You can also scatter turnip seed and cover the seeds with no more than ½ an inch of soil.
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.
How long does it take turnip seeds to germinate?
Turnip seeds sprout best, within a week or two, between 60 and 70 degrees F; however, if sown in cooler soils, down into the mid 40s, they take longer to sprout. Keep soil moist and the plants will grow quickly, being ready for harvest between 40 and 60 days after planting seed.
What is a good companion plant for 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. Turnips are “best buddies” with nitrogen-fixing peas.
Do you soak turnip seeds before planting?
Still, I like to mix in standard application of a balanced organic fertilizer, watered in well, before planting turnip seeds. Additionally, deeply soaking the prepared bed helps encourage strong germination. In beds or rows, the only trick to getting turnip seeds to germinate is to keep them moist for about three days.
How long does it take for turnips to grow?
Most turnip varieties produce greens in 40 days. Turnip roots generally take 50 to 60 days to produce. Harvest turnip greens by pulling the entire plant when the leaves are 4 to 6 inches long (Fig.
Why are my turnips not growing?
Heavy Soil: Turnips prefer fairly light soil. If your soil is too heavy, dense, or rocky, the root may not develop well. Depending on your conditions, you may find your turnips do better in a raised bed filled with quality soil. Transplantation: Turnips have little tolerance for transplanting.
Can you plant turnips too thick?
The seed is so small that it is very easy to plant too thick. I planted them August 20 and they did come up knee high. Edges got good bulbs on them but interior areas were all tops with small bulbs. But the deer still love them and it’s a great fall foodplot.
Can turnip seed be broadcast?
Plant only 2 to 3 pounds of turnip seed per acre. Simply broadcasting seed onto tilled soils works well for many growers, especially on rough seedbeds where rainfall or irrigation washes soil onto the seeds for soil coverage.
Do turnips come back every year?
A true biennial, the turnip requires a vernalization, or cooling period, before producing blooms and seeds in its second year.
Will turnips grow in hot weather?
The seeds require 50 F temperatures to germinate, and the roots grow the most toward the end of their development in soil temperatures between 40 and 60 F. Summer temperatures in temperate Mediterranean climates, however, facilitate turnip growth just fine.
Will turnips grow in shade?
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 I grow turnips in pots?
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. You can also sow in large containers outdoors, for harvesting when small, as baby veg.
Do turnip seeds need light to germinate?
Grow turnips in full sun for best yield; turnips tolerate partial shade. Avoid planting turnips where potatoes have grown recently. Fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion at half strength. Common pest enemies are aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage root maggots.
Is it too late to sow turnip seeds?
Turnips are cool-weather plants that can be sown in late winter, spring, or late summer to give them the two months they need to mature before it gets too hot or freezes.
How cold can turnips stand?
Turnips prefer to be stored in conditions that are as close to 32 degrees Fahrenheit as possible. A refrigerator works, as does a root cellar if it is quite cold and fairly humid — 95 percent humidity is best. Turnips may also be dipped in warm wax to coat them entirely.
Can I plant turnips with cucumbers?
Root vegetables. This means that cucumbers won’t interfere with the growing of root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, radishes, and turnips if you plant them nearby since root vegetables grow primarily beneath the soil and will make use of space that the cucumbers don’t need.
How many turnips are in a square foot garden?
For square foot gardening, plant 9 turnips per square foot. To grow turnips in containers, plant turnips in containers that are at least 8 inches deep.
At what temperature do turnips germinate?
Germination temperature: 45 F to 85 F – Will germinate at soil temperatures as low as 40 F. Seed can be saved 4 years. Maintenance and care: From early spring to late summer, sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep, 1 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
Is it better to germinate seeds before planting?
Soaking seeds before planting helps you to break down the seed’s natural defenses against what it expects from Mother Nature, which then allows it to germinate faster. Another reason is that while Mother Nature actively assaults seeds, she also gave those seeds an internal gauge to help them know when they should grow.
