Growing Turnips in Autumn: A Guide to Planting, Care, and Harvesting

Turnips are a cool-season root vegetable that thrive in autumn, making them perfect for fall planting. Known for their mildly sweet flavor, turnips are versatile in the kitchen and are an easy crop to grow in the cooler months. Planting turnips in autumn allows them to develop a tender, flavorful root and sweeter leaves, providing fresh produce for your table even as temperatures drop. Here’s everything you need to know about growing turnips in autumn, from planting and care to harvesting and storage.

Why Grow Turnips in Autumn?

Turnips grow best in cool temperatures, which helps them develop a sweeter, more delicate flavor and prevents them from becoming woody or bitter. In autumn, the soil remains warm enough for quick germination, and the cooler weather allows turnips to mature slowly, enhancing their taste and texture. Additionally, turnips are frost-tolerant and can be harvested well into winter in many climates.

Best Varieties of Turnips for Autumn Planting

Choosing the right turnip variety is key to a successful autumn crop. Here are some top choices:

1. Purple Top White Globe: A popular heirloom variety with a sweet, mild flavor and a purple and white color contrast. It matures quickly and is ideal for fall planting.
2. Tokyo Cross: A quick-growing white turnip with tender flesh and a mild, sweet flavor. Great for autumn harvests and produces high yields.
3. Golden Ball: This yellow-fleshed variety has a buttery, sweet taste and is known for its excellent storage qualities.
4. Hakurei: A Japanese turnip variety known for its crisp, sweet flavor and smooth texture. Hakurei turnips can be eaten raw and are perfect for salads.
5. White Egg: Named for its egg-like shape, this turnip has a mild, sweet flavor and a quick-growing cycle, making it an ideal choice for autumn gardens.

Steps for Planting Turnips in Autumn

1. Choose a Sunny, Well-Drained Location
   Turnips grow best in full sun, although they can tolerate light shade. Ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged, which can lead to rotting.
2. Prepare the Soil
   Turnips thrive in loose, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). Enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting to provide essential nutrients and improve texture.
3. Sow Seeds Directly
   Turnips don’t transplant well, so sow seeds directly into the garden. Plant seeds about ¼ inch deep, spacing them 2–4 inches apart in rows spaced 12–18 inches apart. Thin seedlings once they reach a few inches tall to provide room for the roots to grow.
4. Water Lightly but Consistently
   Water the soil after planting to ensure good contact between the seeds and soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy, as turnips require steady moisture for proper root development.

Caring for Turnips Through Autumn

• Mulch: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, around the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Thin Seedlings: Once seedlings are about 3 inches tall, thin them to 4–6 inches apart to allow each turnip enough space to grow to full size.
• Fertilize Lightly: Turnips don’t require heavy feeding, but applying a balanced fertilizer or compost halfway through the growing cycle can encourage healthy roots and leaves.
• Protect from Frost: Turnips are frost-tolerant, but if a hard freeze is expected, cover them with row covers or mulch to protect the roots from freezing.

Harvesting Turnips

Turnips are generally ready to harvest 40–60 days after planting, depending on the variety. You can start harvesting once the roots reach about 2 inches in diameter, or wait longer for larger roots.

1. Harvesting Small, Young Turnips
   For tender, sweet turnips, harvest when they’re young (about 2–3 inches in diameter). These smaller turnips are great for fresh eating and have a mild flavor.
2. Harvesting Mature Turnips
   For mature turnips, wait until the roots are 3–4 inches in diameter. Use a garden fork to gently lift the roots from the soil to avoid damaging them. Turnip greens can also be harvested and eaten, either with the roots or separately.

Storage Tips

Freshly harvested turnips can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, keep turnips in a cool, dark place with high humidity, such as a root cellar. Alternatively, you can blanch and freeze turnips, or pickle them for preservation.

Top 10 Questions and Answers on Growing Turnips in Autumn

1. When should I plant turnips in autumn?
Plant turnips 6–8 weeks before the first frost to give them time to mature in cool weather.

2. Can turnips be grown in containers?
Yes, turnips can be grown in containers, but choose a pot that’s at least 12 inches deep to allow for root growth.

3. How deep should turnip seeds be planted?
Plant turnip seeds about ¼ inch deep, ensuring good soil-to-seed contact for quick germination.

4. What type of soil is best for turnips?
Turnips prefer loose, fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adding compost improves texture and nutrients.

5. How often should I water turnips?
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination and root formation. Avoid waterlogging, as turnips don’t tolerate wet soil.

6. Are turnips frost-tolerant?
Yes, turnips are frost-tolerant and their flavor often improves with light frost. Protect them with mulch or row covers during hard freezes.

7. How do I prevent turnips from becoming woody?
Harvest turnips when they’re young and tender (2–3 inches in diameter). Larger, older turnips can become woody, especially in warm conditions.

8. Can I eat turnip greens?
Yes, turnip greens are edible and rich in nutrients. They can be used in salads, sautés, or soups.

9. How do I know when turnips are ready to harvest?
Turnips are ready when they’re about 2–3 inches in diameter. For larger roots, wait until they’re 3–4 inches, but avoid leaving them too long as they can become woody.

10. Can I store turnips in the ground over winter?
In mild climates, turnips can be left in the ground through winter with a layer of mulch for protection, allowing you to harvest as needed.

This guide provides everything you need to grow a robust crop of turnips in autumn, bringing fresh, tasty roots and greens to your kitchen even as the temperatures cool. Enjoy your homegrown turnips in soups, roasts, and more!