Growing Great Turnips: Checklist

Sun: 6 hours.

Timing: cool-season crop. Sow in early spring, or late summer for a fall crop. Fall turnips sweeten after a light frost.

Soil: loose, pH 6.0 to 7.0, slightly higher if clubroot has been a problem.

Spacing: thin to 4 to 6 inches apart.

Water: evenly. Dry spells make roots woody and bitter.

Feed: light. Too much nitrogen gives leaves, not roots.

Cover: row cover keeps out flea beetles and root maggots.  Planting a catch crop of radish helps 

Harvest: at 2 to 3 inches across. Larger roots get fibrous. Greens are edible.
Rotate: turnips are cabbage family; follow the same 4-year rotation.