Growing Turnips: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Turnips may be one of the most underrated vegetables in the garden, but they’re incredibly versatile, easy to grow, and quick to mature. Whether you want to enjoy their tender roots roasted or mashed, or harvest the nutrient-rich leaves as turnip greens, these hardy vegetables deserve a place in every plot.

This simple step-by-step guide to growing turnips will walk you through everything you need to know—from selecting the right variety to sowing, caring, and harvesting for a delicious and continuous crop throughout the season.

Why Grow Turnips?

🥗 Fast-growing: Some varieties mature in as little as 6–8 weeks
🥬 Dual-purpose crop: Enjoy both the roots and the leafy greens
❄️ Cold-hardy: Great for spring, autumn, and even overwintering
🪴 Compact and space-saving: Ideal for containers, small beds, and allotments
💷 Economical and nutritious: Rich in vitamin C, fibre, and minerals

Best Turnip Varieties to Grow in the UK

Variety	Days to Maturity	Notes
Tokyo Cross	35–45 days	Fast-growing, mild, perfect for baby turnips
Purple Top Milan	50–60 days	Traditional, sweet flavour, great for roasting
Golden Ball	60 days	Heritage variety with yellow flesh and a sweet taste
Snowball	50 days	White skin, smooth texture, great raw or cooked
Green Globe	60–70 days	Large roots, ideal for storage or stews

When to Plant Turnips in the UK

Sowing Period	Harvest Time
March to May (spring sowing)	May to July
July to September (autumn sowing)	September to December
October (under cover)	Winter to early spring (greens)

For continuous harvests, sow every 2–3 weeks throughout the season.

Where to Grow Turnips

Turnips are very adaptable and can be grown in:

Open ground or raised beds
Grow bags or deep containers
Allotments or small kitchen gardens

They prefer:

Full sun to light shade
Well-drained, fertile soil
Moist, crumbly soil free of stones

Step-by-Step: Growing Turnips Made Easy

Step 1: Prepare the Soil

Turnips grow best in:

Loose, light, and well-drained soil
Neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0–6.8)

Soil Preparation:

Dig over the bed 2–3 weeks before sowing
Add well-rotted compost to improve structure and moisture retention
Avoid manure or high-nitrogen fertilisers (they encourage leaves, not roots)

Pro Tip: Rake the soil to a fine tilth before sowing for best germination results.

Step 2: Sow the Seeds

Direct Sowing (Recommended):

Draw shallow drills 1–2cm deep, 30cm apart
Sow seeds 2–3cm apart
Cover lightly with soil and water gently

Indoor/Tray Sowing (for greens or transplants):

Sow in trays or modules, then plant out once 5–7cm tall
Ideal for harvesting turnip tops or for early-season greens

Step 3: Thin the Seedlings

Once seedlings are 5cm tall, thin them to:
- 10cm apart for baby turnips
- 15cm apart for full-sized roots

Use the thinnings in salads or soups—they’re tender and packed with flavour.

Caring for Turnip Plants

1. Watering

Keep soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells
Water deeply once or twice a week
Dry conditions cause tough roots or bolting

2. Feeding

Generally not needed if soil is rich
If needed, apply a balanced fertiliser once plants are established

3. Mulching

Mulch with compost or straw to retain moisture and reduce weeds

4. Weeding

Remove weeds regularly to prevent competition for nutrients and moisture

Companion Planting with Turnips

Turnips play well with many other crops:

Good Companions:

Peas – improve soil structure and nitrogen
Lettuce – matures quickly and shades soil
Radishes – grow fast and don’t compete for space
Onions – help deter aphids and root maggots

Avoid Growing With:

Potatoes – compete for nutrients and space
Mustard and other brassicas – attract similar pests

Common Turnip Problems and Solutions

Problem	Symptoms	Solution
Flea beetles	Tiny holes in leaves	Use mesh, water regularly, encourage healthy growth
Root maggots	Stunted plants, tunnels in roots	Use floating row covers, rotate crops
Downy mildew	White or grey mould on leaves	Improve airflow, avoid overhead watering
Bolting	Early flowering, tough roots	Avoid sowing in extreme heat, keep soil moist
Woody roots	Overgrown or inconsistent watering	Harvest promptly, water evenly

Harvesting Turnips

When to Harvest:

Baby turnips: 30–40 days after sowing
Mature turnips: 6–10 weeks after sowing
Harvest when roots are 5–10cm in diameter

How to Harvest:

Use a hand fork to gently lift roots
Pull by the base of the stem
Harvest in the morning for best texture and flavour

Top Tip: Don’t let turnips grow too large—they become woody and lose sweetness.

Harvesting and Using Turnip Greens

Pick leaves when young and tender (before flowering)
Snip outer leaves as needed to encourage regrowth
Great in stir-fries, soups, or sautéed with garlic and olive oil

Storing Turnips

Short-Term Storage:

Trim tops and store roots in a cool, dry place
Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks

Long-Term Storage:

Store in sand or sawdust in a root cellar
Keep between 0–4°C and high humidity
Can last up to 2–3 months

Freezing Turnips:

Peel, blanch, and freeze chopped roots for soups and stews
Blanch greens separately and freeze for later use

Growing Turnips in Containers

Yes, turnips can thrive in pots!

Container Growing Tips:

Use containers at least 20–25cm deep
Fill with multipurpose compost mixed with loam
Sow thinly and thin early to avoid overcrowding
Water daily in warm weather and harvest while small

Succession Sowing for Continuous Crops

To enjoy turnips throughout the growing season:

Sow a new batch every 2–3 weeks from March to July
Switch to autumn varieties in July or August
Use quick-maturing types for baby turnips all summer

Turnips in the Kitchen

Turnips are delicious and versatile:

Root Uses:

Roasted with olive oil and herbs
Mashed with potatoes
Grated raw in slaws and salads
Cubed in stews and casseroles

Leaf Uses (Turnip Tops):

Sautéed with garlic and chilli
Added to soups, risottos, or stir-fries
Used as a spinach substitute

Conclusion

Turnips are one of the easiest, quickest, and most versatile vegetables you can grow at home. With minimal effort, you’ll enjoy both roots and greens packed with flavour and nutrition. Whether you’re growing in garden beds, raised plots, or containers, following this simple guide will help you get the most from every sowing.

By choosing the right variety, watering consistently, thinning properly, and harvesting at the right time, you can enjoy crisp, tender turnips in soups, roasts, and salads for months to come.