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They grow best in full sun and well-drained, moderately-fertile soils. Sow seed thinly across the soil, rake and tamp gently to cover seeds no more than about a quarter of an inch, and water lightly to get seeds starting to germinate. In warm soils seeds should come up within two weeks.
How deep do you plant purple top turnips?
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.
How do you plant purple top turnips for deer?
Because of their small size, turnip seed can be shallowly planted and can even be spread into an existing plot with little or no tillage. If broadcast seeded, it is always best to drag and or cultipack after planting to ensure good seed to soil contact and germination. Turnips are moderate to heavy feeders.
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 fast do purple top turnips grow?
Turnips are a cool-weather crop and well adapted for the northern climate. The most vigorous root growth takes place during periods of low temperatures and they will reach maturity in about 55 days. Soil temperatures should be at least 50° for germination.
What is the best fertilizer for turnips?
To get the biggest, tastiest turnips in your home garden, amend your soil with nutrient-rich fertilizer before and after planting. Spread 2 to 4 inches of composted organic matter over 100 square feet of soil. Apply 2 to 4 cups of all-purpose fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, 10-20-10 or 16-16-8, per 100 square feet.
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.
How many pounds per acre do you need to plant turnips?
Turnips can be planted as a stand-alone crop at a rate of 5 lbs./acre. They can also be planted in combination with other forages such as clovers, chicory or some type of cereal grain.
What time of year do you plant turnips for deer?
Plant Turnips in the Fall Generally, the best time to plant turnips when you’re using them to attract deer will be the fall. You want to plant the turnips for the deer before you experience your first hard freeze, and this means that fall is the best time.
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. Just rake and hoe it as usual for planting.
How far apart should turnips be planted?
Plant seeds one to two inches apart in rows 18 to 30 inches apart. Thin turnip seedlings leaving three to six inches between plants. Thin rutabagas to an eight-inch spacing. Drought stress can make turnips and rutabagas bitter or woody.
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.
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 purple top turnips grow in shade?
Turnips, like all root vegetables, grow best in full sun, at least 6 hours a day, but will tolerate partial shade. The more time spent under shade, however, the slower your turnips will grow, and you may end up with smaller bulbs.
Is it too late to plant turnips?
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.
Do turnips need lime?
Turnips grow best in mildly acidic soils, with an ideal pH between 6.0 and 6.5. If necessary, you can raise the pH of your soil by incorporating lime into the soil. You can also lower the pH by incorporating sulfur or a sulfur compound like aluminum sulfate.
How do you keep worms out of turnips?
Water turnips carefully, since adult cabbage maggots can detect high levels of moisture and will lay their eggs in these areas. Provide turnips with about 1 1/2 inches of water each week; excess water encourages egg laying as well as crown and root rot in turnips.
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.
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.
How long does it take for turnips to germinate?
Whether you grow turnips for the roots or the greens, germinating the seeds is the first step. When done properly, the seedlings emerge within four to seven days.
How do you plant turnips for cattle?
Plant only 1 to 3 pounds of turnip seed per acre. Turnip seed is very small, so barely cover it. If you drill your seed, just scratch the surface with your openers. Broadcasting works well for many growers, especially onto rough seedbeds where rainfall washes soil onto the seeds for soil coverage.
What animals eat turnips?
Beginning in the 1600s, turnips were grown extensively in England for winter feeding of sheep and cattle, as a pasture crop for pigs, and winter fodder for sows.
