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Purple turnips grow best in cool weather, and get hard and bitter when exposed to hot temperatures. So most gardeners plant them in late spring when soils reach 50F or more; because they will tolerate frost and light freezes, in areas with long growing seasons turnips can be planted again in late summer and fall.
What time of year do you plant turnips?
Plant your fall turnip greens from late August to October; for a spring crop, plant 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Space these easy-to-grow greens 6 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8.
Do purple top turnips come back every year?
The purple top is a variety of turnip (Brassica rapa). Turnips are biennial plants, which means that their life cycle takes two years. However, vegetable gardeners grow turnips as an annual, harvesting the root-like tubers at the end of the first growing season.
When should I 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.
How long does it take for purple top turnips to sprout?
The seeds should germinate in 3 to 10 days at an optimal temperature of 70°F (21C) or thereabouts; germination will take longer in colder soil. Optimum soil temperature to grow turnips is 60°F (16°C).
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.
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 tall do purple top turnips grow?
12-14 inches Time to Maturity: 30-60 days Peas, onions Spacing: 4-6 inches Mustard, other brassicas Planting Depth: 1/2 inch Brassicaceae Height: 12-14 inches Brassica Spread: 3-6 inches, rows 12 inches apart B. rapa.
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 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.
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.
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.
Are purple top turnips good 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.
Should turnip seeds be soaked 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.
Can I plant turnips in June?
Many gardeners love to grow turnip roots in their garden. Like any root vegetable, turnips (Brassica campestris L.) do well along with carrots and radishes. They are easy to care for and can be planted either in spring, so you have turnips all summer, or in late summer for a fall crop.
Is it too late to plant 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.
Can you grow turnips from the tops?
The University of Nevada Extension points out that root vegetables like a turnip will regrow from the saved top. Place the turnip top with the cut side down in 1 inch of water and set it in full sun. After new roots appear, plant the turnip in a rich, loose potting mix. Keep the turnip plant moist, but not waterlogged.
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.
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.
Do turnips transplant well?
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.
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 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.
