How to Grow Turnip
Brassica rapa
When to Start
Direct sow outdoors as soon as soil reaches 5°C — typically early to mid spring. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Light balanced feed at sowing. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds.
- Quick-growing — ready in 6–10 weeks. Young turnip tops (leaves) are edible and nutritious.
Companion Planting
1 companion planting garden-peas
Growing Conditions
Get a personalized schedule for Turnip based on your exact frost dates
Start planning freeEnter your last frost date to see your dates
- Direct sow
- —
- First harvest
- —
Want your full season plan with reminders? Try Leaftide free
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 15 cm |
| Row spacing | 30 cm |
| Sow depth | 1 cm |
| Mature height | 30 cm |
| Mature spread | 20 cm |
Thin to this spacing for good root development. If growing only for greens, they can be sown much more densely.
Companion Planting
Grows well with
Peas fix atmospheric nitrogen through Rhizobium root nodules, releasing ammonium into the shallow soil layer where turnip roots develop, directly fuelling the rapid leafy growth turnips need before switching energy to root swelling. Sow peas 3 weeks before turnips so nodules are already active when turnip seedlings emerge.
▼Keep away from
Turnips and potatoes compete intensely for potassium — both crops have high potassium demands and their root zones overlap in the top 30 cm of soil, leading to deficiency symptoms in whichever crop establishes more slowly. Keep them in separate beds and avoid following one with the other in a rotation sequence without replenishing potassium first.
▼Care Guide
- Feeding
- Light balanced feed at sowing. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds.
- Watch for
-
- Flea beetle
- Club root
- Cabbage root fly
- Powdery mildew
Pests & Diseases
Pest Flea Beetle
Identification: Tiny round holes peppered across leaves giving a shot-hole appearance; small, shiny black beetles that jump when disturbed; seedlings may be killed
- Cover rows with fine mesh or fleece immediately after sowing
- Keep soil moist — flea beetles prefer dry conditions
- Water seedlings in the evening to deter beetles
- Spray with pyrethrin-based insecticide in the evening when beetles are resting on leaves
Pest Cabbage Root Fly
Identification: Plants wilt despite adequate water; small white maggots found around roots; tunnels and brown scarring on root surface
- Cover rows with fine mesh or enviromesh to prevent egg-laying
- Use brassica collars around stems at soil level
- Rotate brassica crops on a 3-year cycle
- No effective chemical treatments available to home gardeners; prevention with barriers is the main approach
Pest Mealy Cabbage Aphid
Identification: Dense clusters of grey-white, waxy-coated aphids on leaf undersides; leaves curl and yellow; plants may be stunted
- Blast off with a strong jet of water
- Spray with insecticidal soap
- Encourage ladybirds and parasitic wasps
- Spray with a contact insecticide containing pyrethrins
Disease Clubroot Plasmodiophora brassicae
Symptoms: Swollen, distorted roots; stunted growth; leaves wilt in warm weather but may recover overnight; yellowing foliage
Treatment: No cure once soil is infected — remove and destroy affected plants; do not compost
Prevention: Lime acidic soils to raise pH above 7.0; rotate brassica crops on a 4+ year cycle; improve drainage; start plants in modules with clean compost
Disease Powdery Mildew Erysiphe cruciferarum
Symptoms: White, powdery coating on leaves; leaves yellow and die back; reduced root development
Treatment: Remove badly affected leaves; spray with a sulphur-based fungicide
Prevention: Space plants for good airflow; water at the base; avoid overhead watering
Disease Downy Mildew Hyaloperonospora parasitica
Symptoms: Yellow patches on upper leaf surfaces with white or grey fuzzy growth on undersides; leaves may curl and die back
Treatment: Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering
Prevention: Space plants adequately; water at the base; ensure good airflow; rotate brassica crops
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 5°C |
| Germination temperature | 10–25°C |
| Base growth temperature | 4°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 8.5h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Turnip?
- Plant Turnip 15cm apart with 30cm between rows.
- When can I harvest Turnip?
- Turnip is ready to harvest approximately 55 days after transplanting.
- What grows well with Turnip?
- Turnip grows well with garden peas.
- Is Turnip frost hardy?
- Turnip is classified as Hardy.
Plan Turnip in your garden — get personalized frost-date scheduling
Start planning free