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.

Written by Yemi · Last reviewed August 2026

Maturing this month

Great for kids

First sprouts in 5–7 days

Difficulty

Turnip should be ready to harvest this month. Check for size and colour.

Growing Calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow

Transplant

Harvest

This month: Sep

Log to journal

Ready to harvest now

•Check size and ripeness
•Harvest regularly
•Store or use fresh

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.

Recommended Varieties

'Tokyo Cross' holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit and is the classic fast, mild turnip most UK growers start with. 'Oasis' also holds an AGM and is genuinely slower to bolt or turn woody, worth it for a later sowing. For organic growing, The Organic Gardening Catalogue lists 'Purple Top Milan' as an open-pollinated heritage alternative, ready in 8 to 10 weeks and well suited to UK conditions.

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

Fixes Nitrogen

Peas fix nitrogen from the air into the soil as they grow, enriching it for Turnip.

Lettuce

Suppresses Weeds

Lettuce's low, spreading growth works as a living mulch, shading out weeds around Turnip.

Nasturtium

Repels Pests

Nasturtium acts as a sacrificial trap crop, drawing aphids and cabbage white caterpillars away from your Turnip.

Spinach

Suppresses Weeds

Spinach's dense, low growth works as a living mulch, shading out weeds around Turnip.

Radish

Repels Pests

Radish works as a trap crop for flea beetle, pulling their attention away from Turnip.

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

Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

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.

Written from real growing experience, not just research. Read the story behind Pelham Gardens.

Member guides

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

A Garden Journal to log what worked, a personalised sowing planner in My Garden, and monthly reminders timed to the calendar.

See what's included