Heirloom Turnip Planting Guide: From Seed to Harvest

If you’re eager to add a unique, historical vegetable to your garden, heirloom turnips (Brassica rapa) are a fantastic choice. This hardy, versatile root vegetable has been cultivated for centuries and passed down through generations, prized not only for its nutritional value but also for its rich, earthy flavor and adaptability in the kitchen. Unlike many modern varieties, heirloom turnips are open-pollinated, preserving their natural characteristics and robust taste profile. They offer gardeners the opportunity to grow traditional varieties that are resilient, diverse in color and shape, and often boast flavors much richer than conventional hybrids.

Adding heirloom turnips to your garden means you’re planting a piece of agricultural history, from popular varieties like the Purple Top White Globe to lesser-known gems like the Golden Ball. These varieties range from classic white and purple to deep gold hues, and they each bring a distinct flavor and texture to the table.

Heirloom turnips are a wonderful option for any gardener seeking to cultivate sustainable, organic produce with a story. Best of all, they’re easy to grow with minimal maintenance, making them suitable for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike. This heirloom turnip planting guide will walk you through every step of the journey, from preparing your soil and choosing the best varieties to harvesting and storing your homegrown turnips.

Quick Start Heirloom Turnip Planting Guide – Complete Planting Guide Below

Heirloom / Open Pollinated Turnips are biennial, but they may produce seed in one season. Heirloom / Open Pollinated Turnips are direct sown, covering the seed with .25″-.5″ of soil. Turnip Seed germinates at temperatures between 70°F-85°F and germination occurring in 3-5 days. Once the Turnip plants are 2″ tall, thin them to 4″-8″ apart.

The Complete Planting Guide for Heirloom Turnip: From Seed to Harvest

What Are Heirloom Turnips?

Heirloom turnips are varieties that have been passed down through generations due to their resilience, taste, and sometimes unusual colors or shapes. Unlike hybrid or GMO seeds, heirloom turnips are open-pollinated, meaning they’re preserved in their natural form and tend to have a stronger flavor profile. Popular varieties of heirloom turnips include the Purple Top White Globe, Golden Ball, and Seven Tops. These turnips vary in taste and appearance, but all are valued for their unique characteristics and long-standing history.

Why Grow Heirloom Turnips?

Heirloom turnips are more than just delicious; they’re also highly nutritious and versatile. These turnips can be eaten raw, roasted, boiled, or even pickled. Their greens are also edible and add a peppery flavor to salads and soups. As cool-season crops, they’re perfect for fall and spring planting, and they thrive in various climates. Best of all, heirloom turnips are easy to grow with minimal maintenance.

Let’s dive into how to grow heirloom turnips effectively, starting from soil preparation and seed selection to harvesting and storage.

Heirloom Turnip Varieties to Try

Here are some of the most popular heirloom turnip varieties to consider:

1. Golden Ball: A round, yellow turnip with a rich flavor, Golden Ball is perfect for roasting and mashing.
2. Purple Top White Globe: Known for its purple and white skin, this classic heirloom has a mild, sweet flavor and smooth texture.
3. Seven Tops: An outstanding early variety for bunching. Roots are nearly round, smooth and snow white.
4. Shogoin: A dual purpose turnip grown for tops and large roots. White globe shaped roots grow about 5″ across.
5. White Egg: Outstanding early variety for bunching. Roots are white, sweet, crisp, tender, and mild.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Time for Planting Heirloom Turnips

Spring Planting:
For spring planting, it’s best to sow your heirloom turnip seeds 2-4 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Since turnips are a cool-season crop, they can handle mild frost and even benefit from it, as the cold enhances their sweetness.

Fall Planting:
For a fall crop, plant your seeds in late summer, roughly 8-10 weeks before the first expected frost date. Fall-grown turnips often have a richer flavor due to cooler temperatures as they mature, and this is ideal for gardeners in areas with hot summers.

Step 2: Preparing the Soil

Heirloom turnips grow best in rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Avoid overly acidic or alkaline soils, as these conditions can affect nutrient uptake and root development. Here’s a simple guide on preparing soil for planting heirloom turnips:

1. Clear the Area: Remove any weeds or debris in the chosen planting spot.
2. Amend the Soil: Incorporate a 2-3 inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure into the topsoil. Heirloom turnips are root vegetables, so they require loose, fertile soil to encourage optimal root formation.
3. Check the pH Level: If you’re unsure of your soil’s pH, a home test kit can help you determine if you need to adjust the acidity level.

Step 3: Planting Heirloom Turnips

Sowing the Seeds:

Heirloom turnip seeds are small, so it’s best to sow them directly in the garden where they will grow. Here’s how to plant your seeds effectively:

1. Spacing: Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep, spacing them about 1 inch apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart.
2. Watering: Gently water the soil after sowing, ensuring the top layer remains consistently moist. Turnips need about 1 inch of water per week.
3. Thinning the Seedlings: Once the seedlings have 2-3 true leaves and are about 3 inches tall, thin them to 4-6 inches apart. This spacing ensures that each turnip has ample room to develop a healthy root.

Step 4: Caring for Your Heirloom Turnips

Watering: Turnips need regular watering, especially in dry climates. While the soil should stay moist, avoid waterlogging it, as this can cause the roots to rot. Mulching around your plants can help retain moisture and prevent weeds.

Fertilizing: If you prepared your soil well before planting, heirloom turnips don’t need much additional fertilizer. However, if you notice slow growth, you can use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in small amounts. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, as this promotes leafy growth over root development.

Weed Control: Turnips struggles against weeds, so it’s essential to keep the bed weed-free. Regular hand weeding or using a thick layer of mulch will prevent weeds from competing with turnips for nutrients and water.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Growing Issues

Even with careful planning, you may encounter a few issues while growing heirloom turnips. Here’s how to address some common challenges:

1. Bolting (Flowering): If the weather turns warm too quickly, turnips may bolt. To prevent this, plant your heirloom turnips early in spring or late in summer for a fall harvest.
2. Tough or Woody Roots: This usually happens if turnips are left in the ground too long or if they experience drought. Regular watering and timely harvesting are key to avoiding woody roots.
3. Poor Germination: If your seeds don’t germinate, it may be due to old seeds or dry soil. Ensure seeds are fresh and soil remains consistently moist.

Step 6: Harvesting Heirloom Turnips

Turnips are generally ready for harvest between 45-70 days, depending on the variety and growing conditions. It’s best to harvest them when they reach a diameter of 2-3 inches, as larger turnips may become woody or bitter. Here are some tips for harvesting:

1. Check the Root Size: Pull up a single turnip to check its size. If it’s the desired size, the rest are likely ready for harvest.
2. Use a Garden Fork: If the soil is compacted, use a garden fork to loosen the soil around the root to avoid damage during harvesting.
3. Harvest the Greens Separately: If you plan to use the greens, cut them off at harvest, leaving about 1 inch of stem attached to the root.

Tip: Turnip greens are best when harvested young, while they’re tender and mild. Older greens may develop a stronger flavor and tougher texture.

Managing Pests and Diseases in Heirloom Turnips

While heirloom turnips (Brassica rapa) are generally hardy and resilient, they can occasionally face challenges from pests and diseases. Keeping an eye on your crop and acting promptly can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems. Here’s a guide to identifying, managing, and preventing common pests and diseases that affect heirloom turnips, helping you grow a healthy, productive crop.

Common Pests and How to Manage Them

1. Flea Beetles
   • Identification: Flea beetles are tiny, black or brown insects that jump like fleas. They create small, round holes in the leaves, which can look like pinpricks.
   • Impact: Damage from flea beetles can stunt young plants and reduce yields.
   • Management: Use floating row covers to protect young seedlings from flea beetles, as they are most vulnerable during early growth stages. You can also plant companion plants like garlic, mint, or onions nearby, as these plants naturally repel flea beetles. For severe infestations, apply an organic insecticide, such as neem oil, following the manufacturer’s directions.
2. Aphids
   • Identification: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that gather on the undersides of leaves and stems. They can be green, black, yellow, or white.
   • Impact: Aphids suck the sap from plants, causing leaves to curl and stunt the plant’s growth. They can also transmit diseases.
   • Management: Spray plants with a strong stream of water to dislodge aphids, or introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs, which naturally prey on aphids. You can also apply a homemade insecticidal soap or neem oil to affected areas. Monitor plants regularly to catch aphid infestations early.
3. Root Maggots
   • Identification: Root maggots are small, white larvae of flies that tunnel into the roots of turnips.
   • Impact: They can cause rotting, stunted growth, and may make turnips inedible.
   • Management: To prevent root maggots, practice crop rotation and avoid planting turnips in areas where brassica family crops were grown the previous season. Applying a layer of diatomaceous earth around the base of plants can help deter adult flies from laying eggs. If an infestation occurs, removing and discarding affected plants may be necessary.
4. Cabbage Worms
   • Identification: Cabbage worms are the larvae of the small white cabbage butterfly. They are green and often blend in with the foliage, feeding on leaves.
   • Impact: They chew holes in the leaves, which can stunt growth and reduce yield.
   • Management: Hand-picking cabbage worms off plants is effective. You can also apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural bacteria safe for plants but lethal to worms, or cover the plants with row covers to prevent butterflies from laying eggs.
5. Cutworms
   • Identification: Cutworms are soft-bodied caterpillars that are gray, brown, or black. They feed at night, cutting down young seedlings at the soil line.
   • Impact: They can kill young plants by severing their stems.
   • Management: Placing collars made from cardboard or plastic around young plants can protect them. Remove weeds and debris around the plants, as these can harbor cutworms. For severe issues, sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of plants to deter cutworms.

Common Diseases and How to Prevent Them

1. Downy Mildew
   • Identification: This fungal disease appears as yellow spots on the tops of leaves and a grayish mildew on the undersides.
   • Impact: Downy mildew weakens plants, affecting root development and reducing yields.
   • Management: Avoid overhead watering to keep leaves dry, as downy mildew thrives in moist conditions. Improve air circulation by spacing plants adequately and removing weeds. If you spot mildew, remove and dispose of infected leaves. For ongoing issues, consider applying an organic fungicide or copper-based spray.
2. Clubroot
   • Identification: Clubroot causes roots to swell, become misshapen, and take on a club-like appearance.
   • Impact: This disease stunts growth, causes wilting, and can lead to poor crop yields.
   • Management: Clubroot thrives in acidic soils, so maintaining a soil pH of 7.0 or higher can help prevent it. Rotate crops and avoid planting turnips or other brassicas in the same area for at least 3-4 years. If clubroot is a persistent problem, solarizing the soil (covering it with plastic to increase heat) can help reduce the pathogen load.
3. Black Rot
   • Identification: Black rot causes V-shaped yellow lesions on the edges of leaves, which eventually turn black as the disease progresses.
   • Impact: Black rot can severely affect plant health and reduce yields.
   • Management: To prevent black rot, use disease-free seeds and avoid planting turnips in areas where brassicas have shown symptoms of black rot in previous years. Remove and dispose of any infected plants immediately to prevent spreading. Improving drainage and air circulation can also reduce disease incidence.
4. Powdery Mildew
   • Identification: Powdery mildew looks like a white, powdery coating on the leaves.
   • Impact: It can weaken plants, reduce photosynthesis, and lead to lower yields.
   • Management: Ensure good air circulation by thinning plants and pruning any crowded leaves. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, as it promotes leafy growth that’s susceptible to powdery mildew. If necessary, apply an organic sulfur-based fungicide at the first sign of the disease.
5. Alternaria Leaf Spot
   • Identification: Alternaria leaf spot appears as dark brown to black spots with concentric rings, often surrounded by a yellow halo.
   • Impact: This disease can reduce leaf health and weaken the plant, impacting root development.
   • Management: Plant resistant varieties if available, and ensure proper spacing and airflow. Avoid overhead watering, and water at the base of plants instead. Remove any infected leaves and apply an organic copper fungicide if the disease persists.

Preventative Practices for a Healthier Crop

• Rotate Crops: Rotate turnips and other brassicas to prevent soil-borne diseases and pest populations from building up.
• Sanitize Tools and Equipment: Regularly clean your gardening tools and equipment, especially if you suspect or encounter diseases in your plants.
• Maintain Healthy Soil: Healthy soil supports healthy plants. Incorporate organic matter like compost, maintain proper pH, and avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
• Encourage Beneficial Insects: Ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory beetles help control pests naturally. Consider planting herbs and flowers nearby, like dill, fennel, and marigold, to attract beneficial insects to your garden.

By following these pest and disease management practices, you can help your heirloom turnips thrive while keeping your garden healthy and productive. Regular monitoring, proper spacing, and consistent watering practices can go a long way in minimizing these issues, ensuring a successful and bountiful harvest.

Storing and Preserving Heirloom Turnips

After harvesting, storing and preserving your heirloom turnips (Brassica rapa) properly is essential for maintaining their quality, texture, and taste. Turnips are a versatile crop that can be stored fresh or preserved in various ways, making them a great addition to a winter pantry. Here’s how to make the most of your heirloom turnip harvest, whether you plan to store them for a few weeks or preserve them long-term.

Fresh Storage

1. Refrigeration:
   For short-term storage, keep your heirloom turnips in the refrigerator. Start by trimming the greens, leaving about 1 inch of stem attached to the root. Place the roots in a perforated plastic bag or a produce drawer, where they will stay fresh for about 2-4 weeks. The greens can also be stored separately for up to a week and are excellent in salads, soups, and sautés. To keep greens fresh, wrap them in a damp paper towel and store them in a plastic bag.
2. Root Cellar or Cool, Dark Place:
   For longer storage, a root cellar is ideal. In a cool, dark, and humid environment (around 32-40°F and 90-95% humidity), turnips can last up to 4-6 months. To store them this way:
   • Remove the greens and place the turnips in a single layer in a wooden or plastic crate.
   • Cover them with slightly damp sand, peat moss, or sawdust. This helps prevent moisture loss and keeps the turnips from drying out.
   • Check every few weeks to remove any that may start to spoil.

Freezing

Freezing turnips is a simple way to preserve them for longer storage and is ideal if you plan to use them in cooked dishes. Here’s how to freeze heirloom turnips:

1. Preparation: Peel and cut the turnips into 1-inch cubes or slices.
2. Blanching: Boil the turnips in a pot of water for about 2-3 minutes. Then, immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
3. Freezing: Drain the cooled turnips thoroughly, then spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer bag or container. Frozen turnips can last up to 10-12 months and work well in soups, stews, and purees.

Pickling

Pickling heirloom turnips is an excellent way to preserve them and adds a tangy, complex flavor that’s perfect as a side dish or condiment. Here’s a basic pickling recipe for turnips:

1. Prepare the Turnips: Wash, peel, and cut the turnips into thin slices or sticks.
2. Prepare the Brine: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of vinegar (white or apple cider), 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring until the salt and sugar dissolve.
3. Pack the Jars: Place the turnip slices into sterilized jars, adding optional flavorings like garlic, dill, or mustard seeds.
4. Add the Brine: Pour the hot brine over the turnips, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Seal the jars and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before consuming. Quick-pickled turnips can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Fermenting

Fermenting turnips creates a unique, probiotic-rich food with a tangy flavor that’s great for gut health. The process is similar to making sauerkraut and involves natural lactic acid fermentation.

1. Prepare the Turnips: Grate or thinly slice the turnips and pack them tightly into a clean, sterilized jar.
2. Add Salt: For each pound of turnips, add about 1 tablespoon of salt. Massage the salt into the turnips, releasing their natural juices.
3. Submerge in Brine: Press the turnips down firmly to ensure they’re submerged in their own brine. You can use a fermentation weight or small jar to keep the turnips below the liquid line.
4. Ferment: Cover the jar with a breathable cloth or loose lid and let it sit at room temperature (60-75°F) for 3-7 days, tasting every day until the flavor suits your preference. Once fermented, seal the jar with a lid and store it in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Drying

Drying is another preservation option, especially if you want a lightweight, long-lasting option. While turnips aren’t commonly dried, they can be sliced and dehydrated to add a nutritious, earthy flavor to soups and stews.

1. Preparation: Peel and slice the turnips into thin rounds (about 1/4 inch thick).
2. Blanching (Optional): Blanching can help retain color and texture, but it’s optional. Blanch the slices for 2 minutes, then transfer to an ice bath.
3. Dehydrating: Spread the turnip slices in a single layer on a dehydrator tray and dry at 125°F for 8-12 hours, or until fully crisp. Store dried turnips in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Dried turnips can be rehydrated in water before use in soups and casseroles.

Canning

For long-term preservation, canning turnips is another effective method, although it’s less common due to the texture changes that occur. Pressure canning is necessary since turnips are a low-acid food.

1. Prepare the Turnips: Wash, peel, and cut the turnips into 1-inch cubes.
2. Blanching: Blanch for 3 minutes to prepare the turnips for canning.
3. Packing Jars: Fill sterilized canning jars with the blanched turnip cubes, leaving 1 inch of headspace.
4. Add Water and Process: Cover the turnips with boiling water, leaving the headspace, and process in a pressure canner at 10 pounds of pressure for 35 minutes for pint jars (adjust for altitude if necessary). Canned turnips are best used in soups, stews, or casseroles.

With these storage and preservation techniques, you can extend the enjoyment of your heirloom turnip harvest well beyond the growing season. Whether you refrigerate, pickle, or freeze, preserving turnips helps ensure you’ll have this nutritious and flavorful root vegetable at your fingertips all year round.

Saving Seeds from Heirloom Turnips

Saving seeds from heirloom turnips (Brassica rapa) is a rewarding way to maintain the unique characteristics of your favorite varieties and reduce gardening costs over time. Unlike hybrids, heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, which means they retain their genetic traits when grown from saved seeds. Follow these steps to successfully save turnip seeds and build a sustainable, self-replenishing seed bank for your garden.

Step 1: Selecting the Best Plants for Seed Saving

Choose the healthiest and most vigorous heirloom turnips in your garden for seed-saving purposes. Look for plants with strong growth, disease resistance, and desirable root size and shape. This selective approach helps ensure that the seeds you save will produce plants with similar, high-quality traits.

Note: Turnips are biennials, meaning they produce seeds in their second year of growth. Therefore, they’ll need to survive through winter to flower and set seed in the following season. In colder climates, consider mulching or digging up the plants and replanting them in spring.

Step 2: Overwintering Heirloom Turnips

For heirloom turnips to set seed, they must go through a cold period (vernalization) over the winter. Here’s how to overwinter turnips:

• In Mild Climates: In zones with mild winters, leave the selected turnips in the ground. Mulch heavily around the base of each plant to insulate the roots and protect against freezing temperatures.
• In Cold Climates: In areas with severe winter weather, carefully dig up the selected turnip plants in late fall. Trim the greens back to about 1 inch, keeping the root intact, and store them in a cool, dark place (such as a root cellar) in slightly damp sand or sawdust. In early spring, replant them outdoors to allow them to flower and produce seeds.

Step 3: Allowing Turnips to Flower and Seed

Once they’ve gone through the winter, turnip plants will start to grow again in spring and produce tall flower stalks. The plants will bloom with small yellow flowers, which then develop seed pods. To encourage healthy seed production:

• Ensure the turnips are spaced well to promote airflow and reduce the risk of disease.
• Water them consistently but avoid over-watering, as excess moisture can cause mold or rot in the seed pods.

Step 4: Harvesting the Seed Pods

Seed pods are ready for harvest when they turn brown and dry out on the plant. Watch the pods closely, as they can shatter easily, releasing the seeds. Harvest the pods on a dry day and as soon as they appear ready. Here’s how:

1. Clip the seed stalks with pruning shears or scissors, leaving a few inches of stem attached to the pod clusters.
2. Place the harvested stalks in a paper bag and allow them to continue drying indoors for 1-2 weeks.

Step 5: Extracting and Cleaning the Seeds

Once the pods are fully dry, gently crush them by hand or use a rolling pin over the paper bag to release the seeds. Follow these steps to separate the seeds:

1. Separate the Seeds: Break open the pods carefully and collect the small, round seeds. Turnip seeds are light and can be separated by gently blowing or sifting through the chaff (small pieces of broken pods).
2. Winnow the Seeds: To clean the seeds further, you can winnow them by pouring them from one container to another in front of a gentle fan or outdoors on a breezy day. The lighter chaff will blow away, leaving clean seeds behind.

Step 6: Storing Heirloom Turnip Seeds

Proper storage is essential for maintaining the viability of your heirloom turnip seeds. Follow these storage tips:

1. Place the cleaned seeds in a labeled paper envelope, including the variety name and the date of harvest.
2. Store the envelope in a cool, dark, and dry location, such as a sealed container in the refrigerator or a dedicated seed storage box.
3. Check the storage area occasionally to ensure there’s no moisture, as this can lead to mold or reduce seed viability.

When stored in optimal conditions, turnip seeds remain viable for 4-5 years. Always test a small batch of seeds for germination in early spring if they’ve been stored for several seasons to ensure they’re still viable.

Tips for Avoiding Cross-Pollination

Turnips are pollinated by insects, which means they can cross-pollinate with other Brassica rapa plants (such as Chinese cabbage or bok choy) if grown nearby. To keep your heirloom turnip seeds pure, separate different Brassica rapa varieties by at least 1,000 feet, or grow only one type of turnip if possible. Alternatively, you can use isolation techniques like planting in a greenhouse or using mesh cages to enclose the plants and prevent cross-pollination.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to save and store heirloom turnip seeds, ensuring a sustainable source of seeds that reflects your garden’s unique growing conditions. Seed saving is a wonderful practice that preserves both the diversity and legacy of heirloom crops for future generations.

Conclusion

By following this heirloom turnip planting guide, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful and unique crop of turnips. Whether you’re growing them for their rich roots or delicious greens, heirloom turnips are a rewarding and low-maintenance addition to any vegetable garden. Happy planting!

FAQ: Heirloom Turnip Planting Guide