Growing Turnip

brassica rapa var. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    P P P     P P      

(Best months for growing Turnip in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 12°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 12 - 20 cm apart
  • Harvest in 6-9 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Chives, Spinach, Carrots, Chicory
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes, Tomatoes
  • Turnips

Round, root vegetable. The flesh is white. Turnips take about 6 to 10 weeks to reach a use-able size.

Sow every three or four weeks for a continuous supply.

Water regularly.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Turnip

Grate young turnips and use raw in salads.
Use older turnips in casseroles and stews.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
26 Jun 24, Betty (USA - Zone 7b climate)
When can I plant turnip topper greens they do not grow turnips just the greens
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Nov 23, Larry (USA - Zone 9a climate)
When I plant turnips or radishes they never grow a root. I only get greens. I planted in Compost and fertilized at planting with 13-13-13. What can I do to get the root to grow?
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Nov 23, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You are using too high a fertiliser. N is for leaf growth P for roots and K is for flower and seed. So back off the N. Just mix a bit compost to soil and mix in well - plant the seeds and see how they grow. If poorly give a light fertilising.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Jul 23, Brian Burger (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Name of best type
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Jul 23, V (USA - Zone 6b climate)
That really depends on your growing climate and what you plan to use them for. Purple Top White Globe is a great standard turnip for most uses, but for pickling/ preserving you might want a smaller & sweet/spicy turnip like Tokyo Cross Hybrid. Amalie Hybrid works in zone 10 pretty well, according to friends who garden there.
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Mar 18, kaya (USA - Zone 7a climate)
what is the zone for turnips?
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Feb 17, Billy Pressley (USA - Zone 8a climate)
What is the best soil to grow turnips
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in temperate Australia which could be roughly transposed to your Zone 8. We can sow turnips from Spring until early Summer (about 8 months). Have you considered Swedes (rutabaga) which are a turnip/cabbage cross and are very flavorsome. Trust this helps.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Aug 14, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
If I have tilled up my tomatoes, can I plant turnips?
Reply or Post a new comment
See comments for all plants

That really depends on your growing climate and what you plan to use them for. Purple Top White Globe is a great standard turnip for most uses, but for pickling/ preserving you might want a smaller & sweet/spicy turnip like Tokyo Cross Hybrid. Amalie Hybrid works in zone 10 pretty well, according to friends who garden there.

- V

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.