Turnips are a cool-weather root vegetable that germinate in only a few days. Photo Credit Elena Koromyslova/Shutterstock Botanical Name Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group) Plant Type.
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As temperatures cool in late summer, thoughts turn to establishing fall food plots. A classic cool season crop, turnips provide quality forage through hunting season if planted at the right time. But is there a point when it becomes too late to plant turnips and still get decent growth before winter? By understanding optimal planting windows, you can time turnip planting in fall for peak maturity and tonnage.
When Do Turnips Grow Best?
Turnips thrive in cool conditions They perform best when daytime highs average 60-75°F and nighttime lows are around 40-50°F. This makes spring and fall the ideal times to grow turnips
In fall, turnips planted too early may bolt and flower prematurely in late summer heat. Planted too late, they won’t size up adequately before harsh winter weather arrives. Navigating the fall planting window is key to success.
Fall Turnip Planting Guidelines
Use these general benchmarks to target your fall turnip planting window:
- Northern states – Late July to mid August
- Transition zone – Early August to early September
- Southern states – Mid August through September
For a more tailored schedule, plant approximately 8-10 weeks before your average first fall frost date
Turnips sown 6-8 weeks pre-frost will bulb up with mild tops Later plantings 4 weeks before frost will maximize leafy top growth,
Signs It’s Too Late for Fall Turnips
Watch for these clues that indicate it’s too late in the season for a viable turnip crop:
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Daytime temperatures consistently exceed 80°F
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Drought conditions with little rainfall
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Nights dipping below 40°F for extended periods
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First frost occurs in your area
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Less than 4 weeks remain before your average first fall frost
At these points, turnip growth will really slow down and plants won’t mature adequately. It’s best to forego fall planting and prepare your plots for spring instead.
Options for Late Fall Plantings
If you missed the optimum window but still want some fall forage, consider these alternatives to turnips:
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Cereal grains – Oats, wheat, and rye can be planted later and still provide decent growth into winter.
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Brassicas – Kale and rape establish quickly and tolerate cooler weather.
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Clover – Frost seed red or white clover in late fall to supplement grass.
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Leave fallow – Let plots rest and amend soil for robust spring planting.
Maximizing Growth of Late-Planted Turnips
If planting turnips late in the fall window, give them the best chance to size up by:
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Selecting fast-maturing varieties like Purple Top White Globe.
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Planting in fertile soil enriched with compost or manure.
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Allowing plenty of space between plants to limit competition.
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Watering regularly if rainfall is lacking.
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Using row covers to protect from early frost.
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Harvesting greens promptly to prevent plants from bolting.
Factors That Shorten the Fall Planting Window
Several conditions can shrink the window for optimal fall turnip establishment:
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Northern location – Earlier frosts limit growing season.
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Drought – Lack of moisture stresses plants and speeds maturity.
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Extreme heat – Lingering summer temperatures cause bolting.
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Poor soil – Reduced fertility inhibits fast growth.
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Shade – Less sunlight slows development.
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Pest pressure – Insect/disease damage affects plant health.
Ideal Conditions for Late Turnips
The best scenario for growing turnips planted late in fall includes:
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Fertile, well-drained soil.
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Sunny location.
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Adequate irrigation.
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Season extending covers if needed.
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Low pest and disease pressure.
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Longer time until frost.
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Cooler temperatures with limited heat waves.
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Gradual temperature dip avoiding early cold snaps.
Make the Most of the Fall Window
Timing is critical when planting fall turnips, as yields plummet past ideal windows. While not a lost cause, late plantings require extra care and luck to thrive. For best results, target the peak window for your area. But if you miss the mark, fast-growing varieties and protective measures can still help produce usable forage into winter. Just be ready to shift plans if crops struggle with limited time left in the growing season.
When to Plant Turnips
- To get a late spring harvest, plant turnip seeds about two to three weeks before the last fall frost.
- If you want to harvest turnips in the fall, plant them in late summer, after you’ve grown onions, squash, beans, or sweet corn.
- For a later autumn harvest, sow seeds in early autumn.
How to Plant Turnips
- Before you plant, work a nice low-organic fertilizer (like a 5-5-5) into the soil about 12 inches deep. If you use too much nitrogen, your plants will get leafy greens instead of big roots. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
- Spread the seeds out in rows 12 to 18 inches apart, ¼ to ½ of an inch deep in the soil.
- You can also spread turnip seeds out and later thin the seedlings.
- Not more than ½ inch of soil should be put over the seeds.
- Water well and consistently.
- Protect spring crops from pests with row covers at planting.
Growing
- When seedlings are 4 inches tall, space them out 4 to 6 inches apart. Crowding can result in small or malformed roots. They won’t grow if you put them closer than 4 inches.
- Take care not to pull weeds from the beds, but don’t touch the roots of young turnips.
- Mulch heavily to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Turnips don’t need much care, but the soil should always be moist. Water often enough to keep the soil just barely damp; one inch of water per week should keep the roots from getting tough and bitter.
How to Grow Lots of Turnips from Seed to Harvest
FAQ
Can turnips be left in the ground over winter?
How late can you plant turnips for deer?
How long does it take to grow turnips?
Why are my turnips not forming bulbs?
When should you plant turnips?
For an autumn harvest, sow turnips in late summer after summer crops of onions, squash, beans, or sweet corn. For a later autumn harvest, sow seeds in early autumn. Before planting, mix in a nice low organic fertilizer (such as a 5-5-5) about 12 inches into the soil.
Are turnips high in sugar?
Turnips are a cruciferous vegetable that contain about 5 grams of natural sugars per 1 cup of the cooked bulb. Both turnip bulbs and turnip greens can be consumed. Turnips are not considered a high sugar vegetable, especially when compared to other more commonly eaten vegetables like peas, onions, and sweet corn. The sugar that is consumed via vegetables and fruits is not the same as consuming refined sugar from soda, candy, or condiments. Turnips are a health-promoting root vegetable rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds.
Do turnips grow in spring or fall?
Turnips are cool-weather root vegetables that can be grown in both spring and fall. They mature quickly, and both the bright greens and roots can be enjoyed. Learn more about this ancient root vegetable—all the way from planting to harvesting. Turnips will grow in spring or fall weather but do not like the hot summer months.
Why are turnips so hard to grow?
The most important thing to remember about growing turnips is that they need consistent moisture to remain tender and tasty. Drought stress causes more bitter, tougher turnips, and no one wants that! Happy gardening!