When To Plant Turnips In Kentucky?
Plant your turnip greens for a harvest in the fall between the months of late August and October; to have a crop in the spring, plant them between two and four weeks before the last frost.
How long does it take for turnips to grow?
Turnips are one of the easiest vegetables to produce from seed and may be harvested in as little as six to ten weeks after planting. They thrive in well-drained, cold soil that holds onto moisture and in an exposed, sunny site. You may also grow seeds in huge pots outside, and then harvest them when they are still young to use as baby vegetables.
- According to when they are sown and when they are harvested, varieties are broadly classified into two categories: Early turnips should be sown between March and June, and they should be harvested throughout the summer.
- Maincrop turnips should be sown between the months of July and the middle of August for harvesting in the fall and winter.
Some early varieties, including ‘Atlantic’ and ‘Milan Purple Top,’ can also be seeded under cloches in the month of February. These varieties include: Plant the seeds very thinly in shallow drills that are only 1 centimeter (1/2 inch) deep. When planting early types, provide space between rows of 23–30 cm (9–12 in), and when planting maincrops, leave space between rows of 30 cm (1 foot).
When should I plant my turnips for deer?
1. In the spring, the summer, or the fall – If you want to grow turnips as a food source for deer, the ideal time to do so is in the late summer if you live in a northern area and in the early fall if you reside in the southern region. Having stated that, apart from these two seasons, there is also the possibility of spring.
In light of these considerations, it is of the utmost importance to pay attention to the frost dates throughout the planting seasons in both the spring and the fall. If you want to cultivate turnips in the spring, the earliest you can start planting the seeds is three weeks before the final chance of frost.
Planting in the fall should also take place before the ground becomes too frosty. Find out when the first day it frosts in your region and then subtract the amount of time it takes for your turnips to mature from that date. After that, you’ll be able to determine the optimal time to develop them.
- Although the typical time needed for turnips to reach maturity is 55 days, it is wise to verify the seed packaging just to be sure.
- In the meanwhile, the following table presents, according to hardiness zone, the typical date of the first spring frost and the first fall frost for various areas across the United States.
Visit almanac.com to get exact estimates pertaining to your region. Also, keep in mind that the USDA zones for growing turnips range from 2 to 9. Entering your address on the website planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ will provide you with information on the hardiness zone that corresponds to your location.
| Zone | Examples of places in each zone | Last frost | First frost |
| 2 | Northwest Arctic, Yukon-Koyukuk, and Bettles in Alaska | mid-May to May 22 | First week of September |
| 3 | Bagley, Bigfork, and Grand Falls in Minnesota | Within the first half of May | September 8 – September 15 |
| 4 | McLean, Dunn, and most places in North Dakota | April 24 – May 12 | September 21 – October 7 |
| 5 | Clare, Isabella, and Montcalm in Michigan | From April 7 to the end of the same month | October 13 – 21 |
| 6 | Taylorville, Mount Vernon, and Charleston in Illinois | April 1 – April 21 | October 17 to end of October |
| 7 | Stoddard, Scott, and New Madrid in Missouri | March 22 – April 3 | October 29 to November 15 |
| 8 | College Park, Athens, and Macon in Georgia | March 13 – March 28 | November 7 – November 28 |
| 9 | Zavala, Dimmit, and Webb in Texas | February 6 – end of February | November 25 to December 13 |
When should purple top turnips be planted?
How to Cultivate Turnips with a Purple Top – It is a good idea to till the soil in the garden until it is as loose as possible. If necessary, replenish the soil with compost in order to establish circumstances that are moderately productive in an area that has adequate drainage, a pH range of 5.5 to 6.8, and full sunshine to partial shade.
- Create small trenches at a depth of half an inch with your finger.
- Trenches should have a gap of between 12 and 24 inches between each other.
- Plant the seeds of the purple top turnip roughly one inch apart in the trenches four to six weeks before the last frost, and then carefully bury the seeds with dirt.
The turnips may then be harvested in the late spring. Temperatures in the range of 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal for the cultivation of purple tops and other types of turnips. After they have been planted, they should be grown to the point where the daytime temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit 45 to 65 days later.
Instead, you should seed them in the late summer for a harvest in the fall after the summer heat has passed, or you could sow them every two weeks through the middle of the summer for a consistent yield in areas that have summers that are milder. When they are a few inches tall, thin the immature turnip sprouts four to six inches apart, reserving the ones that are the most robust.
By mulching the purple top plants with straw, you may protect the tops of the tubers from the light as they grow. Purple top turnips need to be watered on a regular schedule in order to maintain a wet soil environment. This ensures that the tubers will be as sensitive as possible and that the growth will be optimal.
- Maintain an even moisture level in the soil at all times.
- At around the halfway point of the growth season, side dressings the purple tops with compost by distributing it between the rows of plants that are near to one other.
- The turnip bed should have consistent weeding performed on it.
- Little purple tubers near the top of the roots of weeds are sometimes produced, and they can attract bugs.
When the roots are three to four inches broad and the temperature is below seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit, the purple top turnips are ready to be harvested. Use a garden fork to pry them out of the ground, and then brush off any extra soil after you’ve done so.
When can I plant turnips outside?
Turnips from the summer are delicious in salads, pickled foods, and stir-fried dishes. The edible leaves and roots, which have a moderate flavor and a crisp texture, provide a pleasant addition to salads. The cultivation of turnips is simple at virtually any time of the year, and they may be grown successfully both in rows on a farm and in pots on a patio.
- Eep reading if you want to find out some of the best advice on how to produce turnips from seed.
- Brassica rapa var.
- Rapa is a member of the Brassicaceae family.
- Difficulty Easy Season: the coolest of the seasons Exposure: Full sun Timing Plant seeds in the ground in short rows starting immediately after the date of the last expected frost and continuing through the summer and into the fall.
In regions with mild winters, activities like this might be undertaken as late as October. The temperature range of 18-21 degrees Celsius (66-70 degrees Fahrenheit) is ideal for germination in soil. After seven to fourteen days, the seeds ought to sprout.
Starting Plant seeds at a depth of 5mm-1cm (1/4-12″) in rows that are spaced 60cm (24′′) apart, and then thin the individual seeds to a distance of 15-20cm (6-8′′) apart within each row. Growing Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. The key is highly cultivated soil that is rich in humus. To the beds, add a substantial quantity of well-rotted compost or manure, and then till the soil to a depth of 20 centimeters (eight inches).
Put one cup of full organic fertilizer into the ground for every three meters (ten feet) of row. The true key to achieving success with turnips is to work quickly. Plant a few seeds in short rows once every two to three weeks, immediately thin the crop, make sure it has enough water, and then plant more seeds after harvesting.
Harvest Throughout the whole summer, collect the necessary greens and roots. The juvenile seed pods of their plant are edible as well. Information Regarding Seeds Under ideal conditions, no less than eighty percent of seeds will germinate. Normal shelf life for seeds is four years. At a rate of 300 seeds per 100 feet per row and 87 million seeds per acre, Maladies and Unwanted Guests It is important to keep in mind that turnips are a part of the Brassica family; hence, they should not be planted in areas that have previously been used for the cultivation of other Brassicas during the past four years.
This straightforward method of crop rotation will eliminate virtually all illnesses before they ever have a chance to manifest themselves. Plants can be protected from cabbage moths and flea beetles with the help of floating row cover. Planting with Other Species Although turnips don’t require much care, they do better when grown alongside mint and peas.
What kind of fertilizer to use on turnips?
Fish emulsion – Turnip has a favorable reaction to organic fertilizers including compost tea, blood and bone meal, and fish emulsion. Other organic fertilizers include blood and bone meal. When producing greens, using fertilizer with a high nitrogen content will assist develop a rich and vibrant green.
Should you soak turnip seeds before planting?
When it comes to sowing seeds, it’s debatable whether or not they should be soaked beforehand. On the next episode of This Land of Ours, we will discuss that. Pinterest image Should seeds be soaked in water before being planted in the ground? According to horticultural specialists, it can just come down to personal choice.
The purpose of soaking is to hasten the process of germination, which is why it’s done. Because the natural environment may be harsh on a young seed, it is important that seeds be robust when they are dispersed in the wild. In addition, seeds have a built-in mechanism that delays germination until it is appropriate to do so.
When you soak your seeds in water before to planting them, you accomplish a number of tasks, including increasing the seed’s moisture content, dissolving the seed’s protective layer, and softening the seed. Because of its function as a protective covering, the seed’s hull is the toughest component.
- When the seed is soaked, the new development that is located on the inside is given the opportunity to push through the hard shell and grow.
- Corn, pumpkin, beans, chard, beets, and peas are some of the vegetables that include seeds that might be improved by a thorough soaking.
- Carrots, lettuce, radishes, celery, turnips, and spinach are examples of vegetables whose seeds should not be soaked.
This is the place to listen to the This Land of Ours program hosted by Cathy Isom. Soak or Not The Question Is, Should You Soak Seeds Before Planting? Seeds can be soaked to hasten the germination process. Presented by SurvivalistBoards: a video 
What do deer like better turnips or radishes?
Both radishes and turnips are members of the brassica family, which is well-known for being one of the most important food families for deer. Turnips and radishes are both root vegetables. When it comes to the preparation of food plots, both of these choices are excellent, but there are some subtle differences between them.
How many pounds of turnips do you plant per acre?
July 27, 2007 – Now is the time to plant turnips into wheat or oat stubble in order to extend the growing season and increase the amount of grazing available. Beginning in October, turnips make for excellent grazing and frequently continue to offer it far into the new year.
Turnips have several benefits, one of which is that they are quite inexpensive to plant, with seed often costing less than $5 per acre. There are a few distinct approaches to use while planting seeds and preparing seedbeds. Some turnip farmers prepare the soil in the same manner as they would an alfalfa seedbed.
While some people thoroughly till their land, others choose to keep it in a more natural state before sowing seed. Following the application of Roundup® or Gramoxone® to wheat or oat stubble to eliminate weeds, some producers plant their crops without tilling the soil.
No matter what approach you use, effective early weed management is very necessary. Once established, turnips are highly successful competitors, but if weeds have the upper hand, turnips will not fare well. Before planting turnips, weeds need to be managed either by tilling the soil or by applying contact herbicides such as Roundup or Gramoxone.
This is because turnips are not compatible with any herbicides. Then, plant the turnips as soon as possible to get them up and going. Just two to three pounds of turnip seed should be planted per acre. Because the seed is so little, you should only just cover it.
- It works effectively for many producers to simply scatter seed onto tilled soils, particularly on rough seedbeds where rainfall or irrigation washes dirt over the seeds for soil coverage.
- This is especially true on rocky seedbeds.
- When drilling seed, the openers should only be used to lightly scrape the surface.
You may have outstanding green feed for the months of late October, November, and December with only a few well-timed rainfall. Forage Specialist at the Extension Service Bruce Anderson
Will whitetail deer eat turnips?
When it comes to constructing feeding plots, it is usually a lot of fun to try out different types of crops to discover which ones the local deer population like the best. Turnips are one type of crop that I have had a lot of fun experimenting with. Even though I have had success cultivating turnips in my personal garden on several occasions, I did not start planting them in my food plots as a crop for deer until around two years ago.
The fact that the deer like eating both the green tops and the taproots of turnips is a wonderful benefit of include turnips in your food plot (or the turnip). And in the event that the deer aren’t interested in the buried turnips for whatever reason, you can always dig them out and have them for dinner on your own.
Brassicas are a group of plants that include radishes, turnips, cauliflower, rape, and kale. Turnips are a member of the brassica plant family. Turnips are annuals that grow throughout the chilly season. They have a very high percentage of protein and are very easy for deer to digest.
Both the leaves and the roots have a potential protein content ranging from 15 to 20 percent of the total. Turnips grown in a food plot that is properly managed have the potential to provide more than 8 tons of feed per acre. Because they have such a large yield, turnips are a good choice for growing in smaller food plots.
Brassica plants do not accumulate more fiber as they age, in contrast to cereal grains and other fodder crops. Throughout the whole growing season, this ensures that they continue to be very easily digested for deer. Having said that, I’ve seen that deer don’t often consume the tops of plants until either they have gotten more mature or they have been subjected to a significant amount of cold.
This is partly due to the fact that younger leaves have a tendency to be bitter, but older leaves have turned more starch into sugars, which makes them sweeter and more appealing to deer. Younger leaves also tend to be more abundant. Because of this, turnip leaves are frequently still available during the winter months, which allows whitetail deer to potentially cover a potential nutrient deficiency during that season.
Turnips may be grown in a broad variety of soils, but they thrive in those that have good drainage, are fertile, and have a pH ranging from 6.5 to 6.8. Turnips have a rather rapid growth rate and can reach full maturity in 75 to 90 days. They are successful in growing in conditions of both the south and the north.
Planting time for turnips varies depending on whether they are going to be grown in a climate that experiences late summer or early fall. Turnips come in a wide range of kinds, each of which produces a unique combination of roots and leaves. It is best to avoid garden kinds because they have a tendency to establish huge roots.
When selecting plant kinds for use in food plots, give preference to those that result in the production of more “greens” than roots. A number of different seed firms sell turnip and brassica combinations that are more appropriate for use in feeding plots and for deer.
Turnips may be grown successfully as a standalone crop at a rate of five pounds per acre. Additionally, they can be planted with other types of fodder crops, such as chicory, clovers, or even cereal grains of some kind. Because turnips and other brassicas have a propensity to develop into enormous, broad, leafy plants that can crowd and shade out other plants, the turnip seeding rate should be reduced to 2 pounds per acre if they are planted in a blend such as this one.
A disk or chain harrow can be used to softly incorporate seed after it has been scattered across an area. Because turnip seed is so little, it shouldn’t be buried any deeper than roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch. After dragging the seed into the food plot, I will often run my cultipacker over the area to ensure that the seed makes excellent contact with the soil.
At the time of planting, use around 300 pounds of 19-19-19 per acre of fertilizer to get the seedlings off to a good start. Testing the soil will provide you with a more precise formula for the amount of lime and fertilizer that is required. Turnips are an intriguing plant to include in your food plots since they produce tops in addition to their taproots.
It is also fun to watch them grow. They are not difficult to plant and might be the ideal food source for parcels of land that are limited in size or located in isolated areas. In the comprehensive profile that will be published in a forthcoming issue of QDMA’s Quality Whitetails magazine, I will go over specific types, mixes, and other facts pertaining to the planting of turnips.
What kind of turnips Do deer like?
The Top in Purple Turnip is a plant belonging to the brassica family that deer like eating. Because this nutrient-dense turnip grows with the globe exposed, it allows for easy access to the entire plant in feeding plots, which is important because deer eat the entire plant.
- Deer will readily ingest the plant and its roots because of its high nutrient and protein content.
- Grows quickly, has a large yield, and is ideally suited for sowing into established food plots with minimal tilling or planting into a seedbed that has been previously prepared.
- Turnips are a crop that thrives in cool weather and are perfectly suited for the temperature of the north.
The periods of low temperatures encourage the most robust root growth, and it will take around 55 days for the roots to develop into their mature state. Germination requires temperatures of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the soil. Types of Soil: loam with a rather deep texture The planting rate is between 8 and 10 pounds per acre.14 of an inch is the planting depth.
Do turnips come back every year?
If left to blossom and produce seeds, most types of mustard, dill, radishes, arugula, cilantro, broccoli rabe, turnips, and other types of mustard will produce ripe seeds in time for fall reseeding. This is true in most locations. Growing lettuce takes a little bit longer, but it yields good results in Zones 5 and above. 
How cold hardy are turnips?
Turnips that have reached maturity are remarkably resistant to the freezing temperatures of winter. Even after being nibbled on by deer, the roots of some plants have been known to withstand temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) and the weight of snow.
- Turnips that are able to make it through the winter will start producing sprays of yellow blossoms in the spring.
- Both the flower buds, which have not yet opened, and the seed pods, which are green, are edible and can be used to flavor dishes like as soups and salads.
- But the main reason I let some of my plants bloom is to attract honeybees, which feed on the turnip nectar even when the weather is not warm enough for flight.
By Barbara Pleasant All Guides
What is the best way to plant turnips?
Directly sow the seeds into the soil a quarter to half an inch deep, spacing them an inch apart in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart. In addition to this, you may distribute turnip seed and then thin it down afterwards. Seeds should have no more than a half an inch of dirt covering them. Maintain a high level of watering quality.
Can you leave turnips in the ground?
Leave turnips in the ground until you need them, but pick them before they start growing again in the spring if you live in an area with moderate winters and well-drained soil. The turnips may withstand light frost on the surface, but in areas where the earth freezes, the roots need to be lifted before the soil freezes.
Do turnips need deep soil?
How to Grow Turnips If you want to harvest turnips in the summer, you need start planting them in the spring. Planting late in the summer will allow you to harvest your turnips before the first frost, which is necessary if you want to have enough turnips to store for the whole winter.
Turnips like to be grown in areas that receive full sunlight but may survive in areas that receive some shadow. This is especially true if you intend to harvest the plant for its greens. Turnip plants don’t require much attention when it comes to the preparation of the bed. To prepare the ground for planting, just rake and hoe it as normal.
After you have finished and the soil is not too damp, you should scatter the seeds and then rake them in gently. When cultivating turnips, the seeds should be planted in the soil at a depth of approximately half an inch (one centimeter) and at a pace of three to twenty seeds per foot (31 cm.).
To hasten the process of germination, water the seeds as soon as they have been planted. Once you discover that your turnips are beginning to grow, you will need to thin the plants until they are spaced around 10 centimeters (4 inches) apart. This will allow the plants plenty of area to develop healthy roots.
Planting turnips at intervals of ten days will allow you to grow turnips for harvesting every couple of weeks during the growing season. Planting turnips at intervals of ten days will allow you to sow turnips.
Are turnips easy to grow?
How to Grow Turnips It’s not too difficult to grow turnips and keep them healthy. They mature rapidly, are dependable, and require only a little amount of upkeep. Due to the rapid rate at which plants develop once they are established in the ground, it is not essential to fertilize them.
How big should turnips be when you pick them?
When the root tips of the turnips are between 1 and 112 inches in diameter, but not more than 2 12 inches in diameter, harvest the turnips. When allowed to grow to their full potential, turnips have a robust taste and can become rough and fibrous. When turnip greens are young and delicate, harvest them.
How long does it take for turnips to sprout?
Growing Guide GROWING GUIDE CONDITIONS: Turnips are a crop that thrives in chilly temperatures and grow quickly. Both the leaves and the roots of turnips are edible. They do well in a soil that is 5.5 to 8.0 on the pH scale, is somewhat fertile, has good drainage, and is quite loose.
Turnips, like other root crops, benefit from having rock phosphate and potassium applied to the soil around them (wood ashes). They may be cultivated in the early spring and fall, as well as all through the winter in locations that are moderate. GROW GUIDE SEED: Turnips should be direct-seeded 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart, with 12–18 inches of space in between rows.
Cover the seedbed with sand or vermiculite to prevent the soil from crusting over and maintain an equal moisture level. When the soil temperature is optimal, which is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the germination process takes seven to ten days.
- Reduce the distance between seedlings to three to four inches if you intend to harvest the roots, but leave them closer together if the leafy greens are your primary focus.
- Maintain an equal moisture content for the crop to grow quickly and tenderly.
- Turnips are members of the cabbage (brassica) family, which means they are susceptible to the same kinds of pests and diseases as cabbage.
At the time of planting, cover the rows with floating row cover to prevent pests such as flea beetles and root maggots. Aphids can be kept under control by using soap containing an insecticide or by maintaining a blooming hedgerow of plants that attract beneficial insects.
Crop rotation is an effective method for warding off diseases that affect the brassica family, including as club root, black rot, black leg, and turnip mosaic virus. GROW GUIDE HARVEST To ensure a bountiful harvest of turnip greens, the planting should be geared toward leaf production, and the leaves should be harvested when they are still young and delicate.
Turnip roots with a diameter of 2–3 inches can be harvested as early as 30 days and as late as 60 days after sprouting. Make it a priority to harvest any spring plants before the onset of hot weather, which will render them inedible. After one or two frosts, the flavor of fall crops that have been harvested is enhanced.
Can you plant turnips in July?
By: Kathee Mierzejewski Growing turnip roots in one’s garden is a favorite activity for a lot of gardeners. Carrots and radishes are excellent companion vegetables for turnips (Brassica campestris L.), which are also root vegetables. They require little attention and may be planted either in the spring, which will provide a steady supply of turnips throughout the year, or in the late summer, which will result in a harvest in the autumn. 