How to plant and grow turnip (Brassica rapa)

Brassica rapa (Turnip) is a plant grown for the consumption of its roots or its leaves and flower buds.

The root cultivars, which are the most cultivated in the world, can have rounded, flattened, conical or oval shapes, with 5 to 20 cm in diameter and they are totally white or white with the top purple, yellowish or greenish. The internal color can be white or yellowish.

Plant profile

The roots are usually eaten cooked, but can also be eaten raw. The leaves can also be consumed.

Where does turnips grows best?

Turnips grows best at temperatures between 15°C and 22°C, but withstands lower temperatures as well as light frosts.
Grown at a high temperature, the plant can flower early, its leaves can acquire a stronger and bitter taste, and its root does not develop well and can become fibrous.

How to plant and grow turnips (Brassica rapa) – growing in the field

Sunlight

It is best to cultivate in direct sunlight, but can tolerate partial shade with good light.

Soil

The soil must be well drained, fertile, rich in organic matter, without stones and other debris.

The turnip is very sensitive to the absence of the micronutrient boron. To avoid a boron deficiency in places where the soil is poor in this micronutrient, it is recommended to use boron-containing fertilizers, to apply borax or boric acid to the soil before planting, or to sprinkle the leaves of the plants with a boric acid solution. However, caution is necessary, as excess boron in the soil is also harmful.

Printable Vegetable planting calendar (PDF). Get your free copy!

Watering

Water turnips frequently, so that the soil always remains moist, but not soaked.

How to plant

How to plant and grow turnips (Brassica rapa) – big turnip growing

Sowing of turnip is usually done directly at the final location. In regions where the climate is always mild, it can be cultivated throughout the year.
Sow at a depth of approximately 0.5 cm in the soil. Seed germination is fast and usually only takes a few days to a week.
The spacing can vary from 30 to 40 cm between the planting lines and from 10 to 25 cm between the plants, depending on the cultivar.

While growing

Remove invasive plants that are competing for resources and nutrients.

Harvest

The turnip harvest is carried out between 40 and 80 days after sowing, depending on the cultivar used and the cultivation conditions.
Do not delay the harvest too much, as the roots can become woody over time, with the exception of some cultivars that can be harvested late without loss of quality.

How to plant and grow turnips (Brassica rapa) – harvested turnips

When harvesting turnip leaves, the plants can be plucked whole, or all the leaves can be cut about 5 cm from the ground, which allows the plant to sprout, so that a new harvest of young leaves can be done in two or three weeks. The leaves can also be harvested individually when needed.

Turnip is a biennial plant, grown as an annual.