How Do You Propagate Turnips?

Propagation by means of plant division is not optimal with turnips, and they do not respond well to transplanting. Therefore, the normal propagation method for turnips is

to grow them from seed

. Seeds should be planted thickly, and covered with 1⁄4 inch of soil. Planting in rows 24 to 30 inches apart is ideal.

Can I grow a turnip from a turnip top?

The University of Nevada Extension points out that root vegetables like a turnip will regrow from the

saved

top. Place the turnip top with the cut side down in 1 inch of water and set it in full sun. After new roots appear, plant the turnip in a rich, loose potting mix.

How do you grow turnips from scraps?

All root plants (including carrots and turnips) are easy to re-grow; all you’ll need is the tops of the turnips. Place the tops in a container of water, and you’ll notice the green tops growing

within 3 or 4 days

. Let the root grow for a week or so before transplanting.

How do turnips reproduce?

Turnips are a biennial plant, taking

two years from germination to reproduction

. The root spends the first year growing and storing nutrients, and the second year flowers, produces seeds, and dies. The flowers of the turnip are tall and yellow, with the seeds forming in pea-like pods.

How do you get turnip seeds from turnips?

Turnip Growing and Seed Saving Tips

Note that seed pods should be removed immediately after they dry because they often release seeds just days after they have dried. Cut pods off at the stems. Extract Seed: Place pods in a paper bag and apply pressure with your fingers to break pods open. Separate seeds from chaff.

What can you not plant with turnips?

Do not plant turnips near other root crops such as

parsnips

, carrots, potatoes, or beets because they compete for the same nutrients in the soil.

What month do you plant turnips?

Plant your fall turnip greens from

late August to October

; for a spring crop, plant 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Space these easy-to-grow greens 6 inches apart in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8.

Do turnips come back every year?

The brassica family includes crops such as radish, kale, rutabaga, rapeseed, and broccoli. Like others in this vast family, turnips are

a cool season annual

and grow best during the cooler periods of the year.

Is it okay to eat raw turnips?

Though they are most commonly cooked,

turnips can be enjoyed raw as well

. If you plan to eat them raw, simply peel and slice the turnip like an apple to eat with dips or add to the top of your salad. Be sure to slice off the root end and remove the greens – which can be saved for cooking as well.

How deep do turnips grow?

Do turnips need full sun?

Turnips generally require a full sun location

but will tolerate partial shade, especially if you plan on harvesting the plant for its greens. Preparing the bed to grow turnip plants in is easy.

What animal eats turnips?

Beginning in the 1600s, turnips were grown extensively in England for winter feeding of

sheep and cattle

, as a pasture crop for pigs, and winter fodder for sows.

Why are my turnips not forming bulbs?

Too Much Nitrogen

: Soil too rich in nitrogen tends to give turnips with an abundance of foliage, but an underdeveloped root. … The Soil Was Just Too Hot: Turnips, like most root vegetables, prefer their soil cool. So, a serious heat wave can interfere with the formation of a nice round root.

How long does it take turnips to grow from seed?

Depending on variety and whether you are growing for tops (greens), small tender roots, or larger roots to store, turnips take from

five weeks to two months

from planting seed to harvest.

Do turnips go to seed?

Turnips are hardy biennials, even though we treat them as annuals. They naturally flower and

go to seed (bolt) in the second year

.

Why are my turnips bolting?

On return from holiday, I found my turnips had gone to seed (also known as bolting). This is when a vegetable plant transfers its energies from producing its vegetable to producing flowers and seeds. It usually happens because

the plant is under stress

, for example, the conditions are too dry.