How To Grow Turnip From Seed

How To Grow Turnip From Seed
Turnip is a very versatile vegetable - it can be harvested when mature or young, cooked or eaten raw and the young tops can be used like spring greens. They are quick to mature and easy to grow.

Sowing

Sow a half-inch (13mm) deep. Early turnips: sow Atlantic or Milan Purple Top under cloches in February and other varieties from March to June in rows 9in (23cm) apart. Maincrop turnips: sow from July to mid-August in rows 12in (30cm) apart. Turnip tops: Sow in August or September in rows 3in (7.5cm) apart.

Growing

Thin out turnips grown for their roots until they are eventually 6in (15cm) apart for early crops, or 9in (23cm) apart for maincrop varieties. Water during dry weather or the roots will be small and woody.

Harvesting

Early turnips: pull the turnips when the size of a golf ball for eating raw, the size of a tennis ball for cooking from May to September.
Maincrop turnips: lift the turnips from mid-October onwards when the size of a golf ball.

Turnip tops: harvest in March and April. Leave the plants to re-sprout as several cuts can be obtained.

Pim Dickson

Plant Expert

When Pim joined D.T. Brown, it was originally as a seed buyer, but now as our planting & sowing expert, he’s responsible for all horticultural and technical content, sharing his expertise in this catalogue, and through the growing advice and tips on our seed packets.

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