Planting and care
How to grow turnips
When to grow
Cool season · Annual
How to start
Direct seed
Mature size
Low tops; edible root below soil
Time to harvest
Greens: 25–35 days from seed; roots: 35–60 days.
Feeding needs
Moderate feeder
Growth habit
Root Crop
How to prune
Thin to the seed packet spacing. Pick only a few outer leaves if you want the same plant to develop a root; do not remove the entire top.
How to harvest
Pull tender roots at about 2–3 inches across, or the variety’s recommended size. Harvest greens young; oversized roots become woody.
Harvest and kitchen use
Fresh, roasted, pickled or cooked; some tops are edible depending crop
Nutrition and garden value
Fiber plus crop-specific vitamins/minerals
Excellent intensive raised-bed crop; efficient use of lower soil profile
Common challenges and troubleshooting
Poor germination, root forking or pests if soil is compacted