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Turnip

Brassica rapa var. rapa

Vegetable

Turnips are fast-maturing cool-season root vegetables that offer both edible roots and nutritious greens. They are exceptionally cold-hardy and can be harvested through light frosts.

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full Sun

Water Needs

Moderate

Soil

Well-draining loam; pH 6.0–7.5

Spacing

4–6 inches after thinning

Days to Maturity

45–60 days from sowing

Growing Zones

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Thrives in USDA Zones 2–10

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Keep Away From

When to Plant

  • Direct Sow

    4–6 weeks before last frost; again in late summer for autumn harvest

  • Harvest

    45–60 days; harvest small for sweetness

Organic Growing Tips

  • Use row covers from sowing to prevent root maggot fly from laying eggs at the base.

  • Sow densely and harvest thinnings as nutritious turnip greens.

  • Autumn-sown turnips left in the ground sweeten considerably after frost.

  • Rotate with non-brassica crops each year to prevent clubroot buildup in the soil.

Common Pests

  • Flea Beetle
  • Root Maggot
  • Cabbage White Caterpillar
  • Aphids

All pest management in Garden uses safe, organic, non-toxic methods only. No synthetic pesticides, ever.