Tips and Tricks on Growing Amazing Turnips

Turnips

Would you like to add turnips to your garden?

What a perfect week for gardening it has been with cooler temperatures, a little rain and now it’s time to head into the weekend. We might have the perfect weekend project for you. Have you ever grown your own turnips?

Turnips are fast growing vegetables that thrive in cooler temperatures. They are low in calories and are an excellent source of vitamins like vitamin C, anti-oxidants, minerals, and dietary fiber. Turnips are described as tasting like raw cabbage or brussel sprouts with a pungent bite like a radish. According to the University of Illinois:

Turnips are easy to grow if sown in the proper season. They mature in two months and may be planted either in the spring, late summer or fall for roots or greens. The spring crop is planted for early summer use. The fall crop, which is usually larger and of higher quality, is often stored for winter use.”

Let’s get into the tips and tricks for growing amazing turnips.

  • When to Plant. Organic Gardening recommends planting during these times:
    • Spring: Plant seeds outdoors 3 weeks before the last frost in spring. The soil must be at least 40°F for germination, which takes from 7 to 14 days.
    • Fall: For a fall harvest, plant in midsummer about 2 months before the first frost. Fall crops of turnips are often sweeter and provide a longer harvest period than spring plantings.
  • Water evenly. To ensure that your turnips receive adequate water, we recommend installing Rootsticks. Rootsticks are a direct to root watering system and have been scientifically proven to strengthen roots and increase the size of plants by supplying water, nutrients and oxygen directly to that important root system.
  • Harvest Properly. Harvest the turnips when they are medium in size which is about 3 inches in diameter.
  • The next step is to enjoy!

Turnips are wonderful ingredient in a variety of recipes. For a list of great recipes using turnips from creamed turnips to turnip potato soup, please check out Simply Recipes.

What is you favorite recipe for using turnips? Please share you answer in the comments below.

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