turnip
Crisp white roots and peppery greens pack flavor punches from pots. Quick harvests make turnips a windowsill winner for fresh eating.
Video Tutorials
Watch these helpful videos to learn more about turnip care.
About turnip
Turnips deliver tender roots and zesty greens fast for salads or stir-fries. Gardeners pick them young for mild crunch and double harvests.
Originating in Asia thousands of years ago, they love cool, sunny spots with rich soil. Brassica family ties link them to cabbage kin.
Indoors, pull roots in 35-60 days from deep pots. Steady moisture and sun yield ongoing picks for months.
Watering Schedule
Turnips demand even moisture for juicy roots. Water when top inch dries, roughly every 2-4 days.
Common Problems & Solutions
Here's how to identify and fix the most common turnip problems.
Popular Varieties
Explore different turnip varieties and find your perfect match.
Care Tips & Best Practices
Humidity
Pebble trays boost to 50% for greens.
Feeding
Low-nitrogen 5-10-10 every 3 weeks.
Cleaning
Damp wipe leaves biweekly for pests.
Support
Rarely needed; stake tall greens only.
Pruning
Snip outer leaves to favor roots.
Rotation
Turn pots biweekly for round growth.
Care Checklist
10 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcrowding seedlings
Why it's bad: Tiny stringy roots result.
Do this instead: Thin to 3 inches apart.
Inconsistent watering
Why it's bad: Cracks or pithy bulbs form.
Do this instead: Keep soil evenly moist.
Too much nitrogen
Why it's bad: Lush tops starve roots.
Do this instead: Low-N balanced feed.
Heavy clay soil
Why it's bad: Stunted deformed roots.
Do this instead: Loosen with compost.
Hot sun scorch
Why it's bad: Bolts or yellows leaves.
Do this instead: Partial shade peaks.
Late harvesting
Why it's bad: Woody tough texture.
Do this instead: Pull at 2 inches.
No crop rotation
Why it's bad: Clubroot builds up.
Do this instead: Skip brassicas 4 years.
Overhead watering
Why it's bad: Spots and rust spread.
Do this instead: Base pour only.
Acidic soil
Why it's bad: Clubroot attacks roots.
Do this instead: Lime to neutral pH.
Ignoring thinnings
Why it's bad: Miss free greens crop.
Do this instead: Salad chop thinnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grow turnips indoors successfully?
Yes in deep pots with sun. Ready in 40-60 days. Even water key for bulbs.
Why small stringy roots?
Crowd or dry soil culprit. Thin early and moisten steady. Full sun helps.
Water turnips how often?
Every 2-4 days top dry. Mulch holds moisture for tender roots.
Harvest size ideal?
Golf ball young sweet; tennis max before woody. Pull alternates.
Turnip greens edible?
Peppery raw young; cook mature like kale. Cut outer for regrowth.
Prevent root maggots?
Row covers block flies. Rotate spots yearly too.
Best fertilizer choice?
5-10-10 low nitrogen post-sprout. Compost enriches soil base.
Fix clubroot issue?
Lime soil pH 7; avoid brassicas 4 years. Clean tools well.
Propagate beyond seeds?
Seeds easiest; cuttings flop. Sow succession for steady.
Pets safe near turnips?
Non-toxic fully. Greens safe moderation for dogs cats.
References & Sources
Information in this guide is based on these trusted sources.
