Can't Gow in TX Organic Gardening - Turnips Grown in the Household Garden

A cool weather crop and a member of the mustard family,also a relative to cabbage and cauliflower. It is an simple to grow root crop that is nutritious and versatile, eaten raw, with dips or cooked. This crop when grown fresh in your house garden has a taste that will make you want to go back for more.

Turnips are a quickly growing crop that do most effective in temperatures in between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and with ample moisture. In hot weather there tops get tough and there roots get bitter. A sunny location with a nutrient rich healthy soil structure that is well drained, deeply worked and retains moisture nicely is what turnips like best. Raised beds are the ideal location for planting this of crop, as any other root crop.

Sow seeds directly outdoors about three weeks prior to the last expected frost in your location. The soil needs to be at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit just before the seeds will germinate, germination is in between 7 and 14 days. Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, sprinkling them thinly to 1 inch apart in the rows and cover with a fine soil. Separate the rows 1 foot apart or plant in double rows to conserve space in your property garden. You can also sow seeds in the spring and again in the fall. Fall crops tend be a extra productive and better tasting crop. Sow seeds midsummer, about two months just before the initially expected frost for a delicious fall crop. The maturity time for turnips is among 35 and 45 days.

Preserve soil moist at all times is extremely important. As soon as the seedlings emerge thin them to about 3 inches apart. When they get to a height of about 4 inches thin them once again to about five inches apart and apply a layer of organic mulch to retain moisture along with helping to suppress weeds.

The greens of the turnip plant can be harvested as soon as they are massive enough to pick, when selecting the greens leave a few behind on each and every plant to keep the root system alive. Harvesting the roots is a option of preference, when 1 to three inches in diameter is when they are there tenderest. The roots can be harvested and stored in a dark cool place and will maintain for quite a few months. Do not get rid of or wash the dirt that clings to the root, it will assist shield the roots throughout storage.