How to Grow Turnips

By: Angela Judd | August 7, 2020

Turnips are one of those vegetables I’d never tried until I started gardening. Freshly harvested turnips and greens are sweet, tender, and delicious. Learn how to grow turnips and add this cool-weather root vegetable (and its greens) to your table.

5 Tips for How to Grow Turnips

A row of freshly harvested turnips, perfect for anyone interested in how to grow turnips, with green leafy tops and varied sizes, lies on a wooden surface. The white bulbs with purple tops highlight their freshness.

Want to try turnips? Here are five tips for how to grow turnips.

1. Give turnips what they need to grow well

Three purple-topped turnips growing in dark soil with leafy green stems, partially exposed above the ground—a perfect snapshot for anyone learning how to grow turnips. Sunlight highlights the vibrant colors of the vegetables and leaves.

Grow turnips in rich, well-drained soil high in organic matter.
Keep soil evenly moist throughout the growing season to keep turnips from becoming woody.
Mulch soil to preserve moisture and prevent weeds.
Although turnips prefer cool weather, they do best with at least 6 hours of sun. Turnips will tolerate partial shade.

2. Plant turnips at the right time

Close-up of freshly harvested kohlrabi with green stems and leaves; on the left, someone is holding several kohlrabi—with tips similar to how to grow turnips—and on the right, kohlrabi are arranged in a woven basket in a garden setting.

For a continuous harvest, plant turnips every week or ten days throughout the growing season.

In cooler areas, begin planting turnips 2-3 weeks before your last frost date for a spring harvest. Plant again in late summer for a fall harvest.

In warmer areas, plant turnips in the fall for a winter harvest. In the low desert of Arizona, plant turnips beginning September 15th through January.

Planting Calendar for the Low Desert of Arizona

Perpetual Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Calendar shows you when to plant vegetables in the low desert of Arizona and whether to plant seeds or transplants. See it in my shop.

3. Plant turnips from seed

Split image showing purple top turnip plants: left side displays small seedlings in soil; right side shows mature turnips with purple tops and green leaves, perfect for illustrating how to grow turnips from seedling to harvest.

Turnips do not transplant well; start seeds directly in the garden. Plant seeds 1 inch apart and ¼ – ½ inch deep. Turnip seeds germinate quickly. Thin seedlings to 3-4 inches apart (depending on the variety) when they are 2-3 inches tall.

Use row covers to protect young plants from flea beetles and root maggots.

For square foot gardening, plant 9 turnips per square foot.

To grow turnips in containers, plant turnips in containers that are at least 8 inches deep.

Turnip varieties to try:

Golden Globe turnips – white-fleshed turnip best harvested when 2-3 inches wide.

Purple Top turnips – purple on top and white below. Best harvested when 4-6 inches wide.

4. Harvest turnips when young for the best flavor

A split image shows freshly harvested vegetables. The left side features radishes, turnips—perfect if you’re curious about how to grow turnips—spring onions, green beans, and orange peppers. The right side displays leafy greens, purple turnips, and herbs on a colander.

Harvest bulbs 45-50 days after planting when small and flavorful and before the weather gets hot. Begin harvesting when bulbs are about 2 inches wide or about the size of a radish.

Harvest turnip greens anytime they’ve grown to 10-12 inches. Harvest outer leaves as needed until turnip roots are harvested.

5. Enjoy turnips in a variety of ways

A smiling child holds up large, freshly harvested turnips with green tops in a garden, showing the joy of learning how to grow turnips. The purple and white vegetables partly hide the child’s happy face behind the leafy greens.

The tender young leaves are delicious fresh, or cooked and are a good spinach substitute. Use the roots fresh, roasted, sautéed, or added to soup. Turnips can be substituted for potatoes with delicious results.