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COLUMBIA, Mo. – An old Missouri saying advises, “On the 25th of July, sow your turnips, wet or dry,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. This adage sprang into the national spotlight during Harry S. Truman’s presidency.
How do you grow turnips in Missouri?
Turnip seeds may be broadcast over the prepared soil or planted in rows 12 to 15 inches apart. Lightly cover the seeds after planting. If seeds are broadcast over the soil’s surface, a light raking after planting usually is sufficient to cover them.
What month do you plant turnips?
Turnip greens are easy to grow in any well-drained soil. Set out turnip green plants 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring and from late August to October for a fall crop in most areas. In zones 9 and 10 they can be planted throughout fall and winter.
How long does it take to grow turnips?
Turnip roots generally take 50 to 60 days to produce. Harvest turnip greens by pulling the entire plant when the leaves are 4 to 6 inches long (Fig.
What temperature do turnips grow best?
Turnips will grow as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below 10° Fahrenheit, and they can handle frost. Ideal soil temperatures for turnips range from 40 to 75° Fahrenheit. Sow seeds directly in your vegetable garden.
What is the best fertilizer for turnips?
To get the biggest, tastiest turnips in your home garden, amend your soil with nutrient-rich fertilizer before and after planting. Spread 2 to 4 inches of composted organic matter over 100 square feet of soil. Apply 2 to 4 cups of all-purpose fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, 10-20-10 or 16-16-8, per 100 square feet.
What grows well with turnips?
Turnips Are Terrific Companions Squash, tomatoes, celery, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, beans, onions, garlic, lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, cauliflower, and radishes all flourish when planted interspersed with turnips. Turnips are “best buddies” with nitrogen-fixing peas.
Do turnips grow back every year?
Avoid Bolting. Turnips are hardy biennials, even though we treat them as annuals. They naturally flower and go to seed (bolt) in the second year.
How long does it take turnips to germinate?
Germination takes 7–10 days at an optimum soil temperature between 65–85° F. Thin seedlings to 3–4 inches apart to harvest roots, or allow them to remain crowded if you primarily desire the leafy greens. Keep evenly moist to grow the crop fast and tender.
At what temperature do turnips germinate?
Once seedlings grow to a couple of inches tall, thin the plants to one every 4 to 6 inches to allow them to grow to their full potential. Turnips seeds can germinate in soil that is as cool as 40°F, but the optimal soil temperature for turnip germination is between 60° and 105°.
How do I know when my turnips are ready?
Turnips are ready to harvest 40 to 55 days after planting. If harvesting the leaves, they are ready when they reach 4-6 inches in height. If only harvesting the leaves, cut them from the plant when they reach the desired size, leaving 1 inch of leaves above the crown of the plant. More leaves will grow in their place.
Can you grow turnips in a container?
You can use window boxes or use standard pots and maintain at least 4 inches of spacing. Considering this, a 12 inches wide round pot can accommodate 3 turnips, and up to 4 if you want to overfill it. Turnips don’t respond well to transplanting, so directly transplant them to the desired container.
Do deer like turnips?
The cool thing about planting turnips in your food plot is the deer love to eat both the leafy tops and the taproots (or the turnip). Turnips are a cool-season annual that are extremely high in protein and highly digestible to deer. Protein content can range from 15 to 20 percent in both the leaves and the roots.
Do turnips need a lot of water?
Water. At least 1 inch of water per week is vital for good root development. Turnips need to grow quickly, and regular water along with a rich soil, will help them do that.
Are turnips hard to grow?
Growing and maintaining turnips is pretty easy. They are fast growing, reliable, and relatively low maintenance. It is not necessary to fertilize plants once they are in the ground since they grow so quickly. As long as the soil is rich in organic material when you sow the seeds, they should be happy.
Do turnips put nitrogen in the soil?
Sowing: Turnips can be planted directly in the garden in the early spring for a spring crop, and midsummer through early fall for a fall to winter crop. Turnips also prefer soils rich in potassium and phosphorus, but not in nitrogen.
Do turnips need lime?
Turnips grow best in mildly acidic soils, with an ideal pH between 6.0 and 6.5. If necessary, you can raise the pH of your soil by incorporating lime into the soil. Adding organic matter to the soil will also lower the pH gradually over time.
Why do farmers plant turnips in their fields?
Turnips are an excellent cover for farmers who graze cattle on their fields after harvest. They are a high moisture plant, and cattle favor them due to their high sugar content. They are packed with protein, as well, and so make a great forage plant for cattle through the winter months.
How do you keep worms out of turnips?
Root Maggot Control Dusting the plants with diatomaceous earth. Adding beneficial nematodes to the soil. Releasing predatory rove beetles into your garden. Covering plants with floating row covers. Solarizing infected beds.
Can you plant turnips in July?
Planting and Care Turnips take about two months to ripen, so time your planting according to your desired harvest time. For example, turnips planted in May ripen in July, and an August planting ripens in October.
What can you not plant with turnips?
Brassicas (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, turnip) – All benefit from chamomile, dill, mint, rosemary, and sage. Avoid planting near eggplants, peppers, potatoes, or tomatoes.
Do turnips grow in shade?
Turnips generally require a full sun location but will tolerate partial shade, especially if you plan on harvesting the plant for its greens. When planting turnips, plant them at ten day intervals, which will allow you to grow turnips for harvesting every couple of weeks throughout the season.
