Discover the beginner’s guide to growing turnips from seeds in small spaces, and learn how to maximize your limited space for a bountiful harvest.
Introduction
Turnips are a versatile and fast-growing root vegetable that can be easily cultivated in a home garden. With a growing season from early summer into autumn, turnips are a great addition to any vegetable patch, providing sweet and tender roots as well as edible leaves.
Growing Turnips from Seed
Turnips can be grown from seed in a sunny spot with cool, fertile, and moisture-retentive soil. It is recommended to sow turnips in small batches every few weeks from spring to late summer to ensure regular harvests without any gluts. Additionally, turnips can be grown in large containers for harvesting as mini-veg.
Sowing Turnips
Turnips are best sown directly outdoors in the ground or in containers. The main sowing season is from March to mid-August, with early varieties suitable for sowing up to June and maincrop varieties for sowing in July and August. It is important to keep the soil well-watered, especially during dry spells, and protect seedlings from slugs and snails.
Harvesting Turnips
Turnips are typically ready for harvest in as little as six weeks for early varieties and about ten weeks for maincrop varieties. It is important to harvest turnips when they are small and tender, as larger turnips can become woody and bitter. The leaves of turnips can also be harvested and eaten, either at the same time as the roots or as a cut-and-come-again crop.
Pests and Diseases
While turnips are generally healthy and robust plants, they can be affected by pests and diseases such as cabbage root fly, club root, and flea beetles. It is important to protect seedlings from slugs and snails and take measures to prevent these common issues.
In conclusion, growing turnips can be a rewarding and relatively simple process, providing a delicious and versatile vegetable for the kitchen. By following the recommended growing and harvesting practices, home gardeners can enjoy a steady supply of turnips from early summer through autumn and even into winter in milder regions.
Choosing the Right Seeds and Containers
When choosing turnip seeds, look for varieties that are well-suited to your climate and growing conditions. Consider factors such as the time of year you plan to sow the seeds, the size of the turnips you desire, and whether you want to prioritize the roots or the leafy greens.
It’s also important to select the right containers if you plan to grow turnips in pots or other confined spaces. Ensure that the containers are at least 40cm (16in) wide to provide enough space for the turnip roots to develop. Additionally, make sure the containers have proper drainage to prevent waterlogging, and use high-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil for optimal growth.
Key Considerations for Seed Selection:
- Climate and growing conditions
- Sowing time
- Desired turnip size
- Preference for roots or leafy greens
Important Factors for Container Selection:
- Container size (at least 40cm wide)
- Drainage capabilities
- Quality of potting soil
Planting and Care
When planting turnips, it’s important to choose a sunny spot with cool conditions and fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Turnips can also be grown in large containers, making them a versatile option for any garden. It’s best to sow turnips in small batches every few weeks from spring to late summer to avoid gluts and ensure regular harvests.
Turnips are quick and easy to grow from seed, and they prefer well-drained soil. It’s important to keep them well watered, especially in dry spells, and to protect seedlings from slugs and snails.
For earlier harvests, turnips can be started indoors in late winter and then transplanted into the ground. Once established, turnips are generally healthy and robust plants, although they may be susceptible to pests and diseases such as cabbage root fly, club root, and flea beetles.
When harvesting turnips, it’s best to do so when the roots are small and full of flavor. The leaves, or turnip tops, can also be harvested and used in cooking. Turnips can be stored for several weeks in a cool, frost-free place, and the leaves can be harvested multiple times.
Overall, turnips are a versatile and delicious addition to any garden, providing both tasty roots and edible leaves. With the right care and attention, they can be a rewarding crop to grow.
Managing Limited Space
If you have limited space for growing turnips, there are a few strategies you can use to maximize your harvest. Consider the following tips:
Successional Sowing
To avoid a large glut of turnips all at once, you can practice successional sowing. This involves sowing small batches of seeds every few weeks from spring to late summer. This will ensure that you have a regular supply of turnips throughout the growing season.
Container Gardening
If you don’t have a large garden, you can still grow turnips in containers. Choose a container that is at least 40cm wide and fill it with multi-purpose compost. This method allows you to grow turnips in a small space, such as a balcony or patio.
Interplanting
Turnips grow quickly and can be used to fill in gaps in your garden after harvesting other crops. You can also interplant turnips between slower-growing crops, such as parsnips, to make the most of your available space.
By following these strategies, you can successfully grow turnips even if you have limited space for gardening.
Harvesting and Enjoying
Once your turnips are ready for harvest, it’s important to do so at the right time to ensure they are tender and full of flavor. Early turnips can be harvested from May to September when they are the size of a golf ball for eating raw, or the size of a tennis ball for cooking. Maincrop turnips can be harvested from mid-October onwards when they are the size of a golf ball. Additionally, turnip tops can be harvested from spring onwards, and the leaves will re-sprout, allowing for several pickings.
Harvesting Turnips
- Harvest early turnips when they are the size of a golf ball for eating raw or the size of a tennis ball for cooking.
- Harvest maincrop turnips from mid-October onwards when they are the size of a golf ball.
- For turnip tops, harvest the leaves from spring onwards, and the leaves will re-sprout, allowing for several pickings.
Once harvested, turnips can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. The young roots are sweet and tender, delicious raw, roasted, or added to stews. The young leaves are also edible and can be eaten raw or cooked like spinach. Be sure to store any harvested turnips properly to ensure they stay fresh for as long as possible.
In conclusion, growing turnips from seeds in small spaces is a manageable and rewarding endeavor. With proper care and attention to space and soil requirements, anyone can successfully cultivate turnips in limited areas, providing a fresh and nutritious addition to their diet. Happy gardening!