Turnip
KEY INFORMATION
Height: to 25cm
Spread: to 25cm
Hardy annual
Sun or semi-shade
Germination: 7 - 10 days
Harvest: From 9 weeks
VARIETIES AVAILABLE FROM COLLIE FLOWERS
SOWING & GROWING SCHEDULE
Sow Indoors: n/a
Sow Outdoors: May to June
Plant Out: n/a
Harvest: June to October
Growing Guide
Early sowings are best made under cloches. Turnips grow best on rich well manured soil but will grow on ordinary fertile soil to which plenty of well rotted compost has been added.
Sow seeds in succession from March to mid summer direct into growing site in seed drills 2cm deep with rows spaced 30cm apart. Successional sowings should be made every 2 to 3 weeks to prolong the harvest period.
As soon as first rough leaves appear, thin to 10cm apart . Harvest from when roots are golf ball size, pull alternate roots to maximise crop production. Water regularly during hot dry weather to prevent roots from going woody
TOP TIPS
Turnips can be multisown in modules and transplanted into final position in June as small clusters and harvested as small roots and added to salads.
Turnips should be grown quickly and kept well watered. Harvest them before they get too large for the best flavour. The smaller the roots, the sweeter they are.