How To Grow Turnip

Common Name: Turnip, Swede

Indian Name: Shalgam (Hindi)

Botanical Name: Brassica rapa

Vegetable Type: Root vegetable

Varieties: Purple Top White Globe, Green Globe, York Globe

Turnips are cultivated worldwide, as both their taproot and leafy greens are edible. It is considered a nutritional superfood, as it is high in vitamins K, A, C, fibre, calcium, manganese, and folate. They are also used in many different forms in cuisines all over the world. It can be stewed, stir-fried, even juiced in a variety of recipes. While it is known for slight bitterness, many commercial varieties have been bred to take care of this. Let’s take a look at some of the main features of this plant.

Note: You can buy turnip seeds online from our online garden store – we have many different varieties in stock !

Plant Features

Life Cycle: It is a biennial, usually grown as an annual

Height: The root and the leaves together are around 45 cm (1.5 ft) in height

Width: The diameter of the tap root is usually around 5 cm.

Flowering Season: The turnip is a cool season plant which usually flowers around early autumn, i.e. around August.

Flowers: The turnip plant has tall yellow flowers.

Foliage: It has leafy green, soft textured, edible foliage

Planting/Growing Details

Sunlight: Full sun, i.e. 6-8 hours of direct exposure to sunlight is required for optimum growth of the turnip plant

Water: Regular watering intervals, i.e. make sure that the soil is always moist and well-drained

Sowing Season: Usually turnips are sown in May or June, so that the initial stages of the plant are in hot weather, which is best for the plant.

Sowing Method: The seeds can be directly planted outside, and need to be spaced about 20 cm apart from each other. Usually turnips are planted in rows which are spaced 30 cm from each other. Usually no fertilizer is required for this crop.

Care: Make sure to apply a mulch when the plants are around 12 cm tall, as this will help the plant retain moisture. Turnips require a lot of water, so make sure to stick to a regular watering schedule. Regular inspection is also required to keep the plants weed free.

Pests: Some pests and problems faced by the turnip crop are root maggots and powdery mildew. These problems can be taken care of by watering the plants from the bottom up, and regularly inspecting the crops for any pests. The crops should be rotated regularly to avoid any root infestation.

Harvest: This crop is usually harvested within 5-6 weeks of germination. Harvest the greens and root early, for best taste, and quality. Once the plant has flowered, then it is too late. The roots should be harvested carefully, using appropriate gardening tools

Propagation: Turnips have been propagated using the stalks, however, the best yield comes from seed propagation.

So, a staple in many kitchens worldwide, the turnip is a useful plant to have in your garden. You can bring out the inner chef in you by experimenting with the various dishes which require the turnip. So plant some turnip seeds in your garden today!