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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.
How long does it take to grow turnip greens?
The cool-weather plants will tolerate frosts, but get tough and bitter in hot weather; making them best planted in late spring and early summer, and again in late summer and fall. Because the plants are ready to harvest within six or eight weeks, for the longest fresh harvest plant new seeds every two or three weeks.
What is the best month to plant greens?
Greens grow year-round in areas with mild summers and winters, such as the West Coast. For most other areas, spring and fall are the best times to grow greens. Greens can be sown directly in the garden starting in spring and, in cool areas, planted throughout the summer until September.
Are turnip greens frost hardy?
Planting Turnips Turnips withstand frost well and don’t need to be dug until the ground freezes. Therefore, if you are not in danger of a freeze, you can seed them late for a late fall or early winter harvest.
What is the planting season for turnips?
Direct sow short rows starting just after the last frost date, through summer, and into the fall. Where winters are mild they can be started right into October. Optimal soil temperature for germination: 18-21°C (66-70°F). Seeds should sprout in 7-14 days.
What is the best fertilizer for turnip greens?
Mix well-rotted manure or compost into the soil before you plant turnips for their greens. If you don’t have compost, mix about 1/4 cup of 10-10-10 fertilizer into the soil for every 10 feet of plants. The fertilizer numbers indicate the ratio, by weight, of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
What fertilizer is best 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.
Can I plant turnip greens now?
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.
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.
What temperature kills turnip greens?
However, turnip greens become tough and bitter if they mature after temperatures rise above 75°F (24°C) in the summer, and, as with all vegetables, the first hard freeze kills the leaves.
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. Bolting in the first year could be due to stress, such as caused by extreme temperatures (cold or hot) or lack of nutrients or water.
How cold is too cold for eggplant?
Eggplant is generally more sensitive to cooler temperatures than its cousins, tomatoes and peppers. Flowers consistently set fruit down to 60 F nighttime temperatures. Eggplants begin to get chilling injury at temperatures below 50 F.
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.
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.
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.
How do you keep bugs off turnip greens?
A homemade horticultural oil can be made from soybean oil mixed with liquid dish-washing soap to suffocate the bugs. Some people simply spray them off with a hose. But if you do this, make sure to also remove them from the ground beneath the plant.
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 deep do you plant turnip greens?
Sow seed directly in the garden ½ inch (12mm) deep and 1 inch (2.5cm) apart in wide rows, thin successful seedlings from 4 to 6 inches (10-15cm) apart. Space wide rows 12 to 24 inches (30-61cm) apart. Thin turnips grown for greens from 2 to 3 inches (5-7cm) apart. Companion plants.
What soil is best for turnips?
Turnips prefer a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.5. Good soil fertility will help them grow quickly. Make sure the soil is well-draining so the roots don’t rot.
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. Turnips are “best buddies” with nitrogen-fixing peas.
How much sun does turnip greens need?
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.
