Turnip

Fast-growing and underrated. Baby turnips are sweet and tender; larger roots are great for roasting. One of the quickest root crops — ready in as little as 6 weeks.

Maturing this month

Great for kids

First sprouts in 5–7 days

Sow

Mar – Aug

Plant Out

—

Harvest

May – Nov

Location

Outdoors

Difficulty

Now is a good time to sow Turnip. Follow the sowing guide below.

Growing Calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow

Transplant

Harvest

This month: May

Log to journal

Start seeds indoors this week

•Fill tray with compost
•Sow seeds evenly
•Cover lightly with soil
•Water gently
•Place in warm light spot

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

1cm

Spacing

15cm

Germination

5–7days

Thinning

Thin to 15cm apart when seedlings are a few centimetres tall

Grower's Note

One of the quickest root crops — young roots are ready in 6–8 weeks. The tops are also edible and can be harvested as greens before the roots are ready.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

1wks

Seeds germinate and first leaves emerge. Keep warm and moist.

Establishing

3wks

Root system develops and plant builds structure. Pot on if needed.

Maturing

4wks

Plant reaches full size and begins producing. Harvest at peak.

Total~8 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Companion Plants

Plant these nearby for natural pest control, better yields, and healthier soil.

Peas

Lettuce

Nasturtium

Spinach

Radish

Climate Control

Today

—C

Humidity

—%

Water

Every 2–3 days

Sunlight

6+ hours direct sun

Watch Out For

Flea beetle peppers leaves with small holes

cover with fine mesh from sowing and water regularly to help plants grow through the vulnerable seedling stage

Bolts quickly in hot dry weather

sow in spring and again from late July for an autumn crop, avoiding the peak of summer

Overcrowding produces poor roots

thin promptly to 15cm apart as soon as seedlings are large enough to handle

Pests & Problems

Full guide →

Flea Beetle

Tiny round holes peppering young leaves

Apr–Jun

Cabbage Root Fly

Wilting despite watering

Apr–Sep

Clubroot

Wilting in warm weather

May–Oct

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing turnip

Modular Seed Tray

96-cell for precision sowing

Fine Rose Watering Can

Gentle shower for seedlings

Bamboo Canes

Pack of 20 × 120cm

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Grown Organically

Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.

Read our approach

Common Questions

About growing Turnip in the UK

When do I sow turnips in the UK?

Sow turnips from March to September. Sow early varieties from March for young, tender spring turnips. Main sowing runs from May to August for summer and autumn harvest. Late sowings (August–September) give roots that can stay in the ground into winter.

Why are my turnips woody or bitter?

Turnips become woody and bitter when left in the ground too long or grown in very dry conditions. Harvest when roots are 5–8cm in diameter for the best sweet, tender flavour. Baby turnips can be harvested even smaller — golf-ball size is excellent.

Are turnip leaves edible?

Yes — turnip tops (the young leaves) are edible and nutritious, similar in flavour to spring greens or mustard greens. They can be eaten raw in salads when young, or cooked briefly by steaming or stir-frying. Some gardeners grow turnips specifically for the greens.

Do turnips need a lot of space?

Turnips are compact vegetables well-suited to small beds and containers. Thin plants to 15cm apart for standard sizes, or 7–8cm for baby turnip production. They grow quickly and can be fitted between rows of slower crops.

Member guides

There's more to growing Turnip than this guide covers.

Seasonal reminders, deeper guides, and the small adjustments that change a harvest.

See what's included