Turnips are low in calories, he althy, known as livestock feed, are considered a traditional autumn and winter vegetable and are now very popular in gourmet restaurants. These are just a few of the reasons to grow them yourself in your own garden. Let's go!
How do you grow turnips correctly?
When growing turnips, the seeds should be sown directly outdoors between June and July. Ensure a seeding depth of 0.5 to 1 cm, a row spacing of 40 to 50 cm and a plant spacing of 50 cm. The harvest takes place at the end of September at the earliest.
What should you pay attention to when sowing seeds directly outdoors?
Turnips are usually sown directly outdoors between June and July. At a temperature between 15 and 18 °C, the seeds germinate after 7 to 10 days. But first don't forget the following:
- Sowing depth: 0.5 to 1 cm
- Row spacing: 40 to 50 cm
- Distance between individual plants: 50 cm
Is it worth preferring the turnips?
Preferring is not particularly worthwhile, but for the impatient it is a real alternative to sowing outdoors. The seeds are sown in pots from the end of May at the earliest. 4 seeds are placed 1 to 2 cm deep in a pot and covered with soil. As soon as the first leaves are visible, the plants can be separated. Planting takes place in June.
Which are good and bad plant neighbors?
Good plant neighbors for turnips include peas, lamb's lettuce, tomatoes, dill, beans, celery and cucumbers. However, bad neighbors such as potatoes, garlic, kohlrabi and onions should stay away from turnips.
What characteristics should the location and soil have?
A sunny to partially shaded location is sufficient for the turnips to grow. The soil should be moist, neutral to alkaline and suitable for medium-heavy feeders. Ideally, it is lightly fertilized with compost before sowing. Fertilizer should not be added during the growth phase.
How and when is the harvest done?
The turnips can be harvested just in time for the start of the season. This will not be the case until the end of September at the earliest. If necessary, the turnips can be pulled out of the ground using a digging fork (€139.00 on Amazon). The leaves are then twisted off.
The later the beets are harvested, the easier they are to store. But: all turnips should be harvested by the end of November at the latest. The reason: They cannot tolerate longer periods of frost with temperatures below -8 °C.
Tips & Tricks
When growing turnips, it is important to pay attention to crop rotation (waiting for at least three years) to ensure good yields and a low risk of diseases and pests.
