Tu r n i p
Height: 10 –1 5 "
Width: 6–8"
Depth: 6–1 0 "
Biennial/Annual/Cool Season
Wat e r : Moderate
Sun : Full to light shade
Companion Planting :
pro: Bush beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers
con: Potatoes
Pests : Cabbage root maggots, aphids
Diseases : Few and quite rare
Soil: Loamy soil with good drainage
Fertilizer: Compost with green manure; bonemeal/
phosphorus to increase yield; low nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium
pH: 5.5–6.8
Varieties : De Milan (early), Purple Top White Globe
(heirloom/winter crop), Tokyo Kobaku (small white)
Zones : 3–12
Planting : Early spring, 4–6 weeks before fi rst frost;
seed ½ inch deep, 2 inches apart; thin to 8 inches
Germinates : 3–10 days
Harvest: From seed, 30–50 days; best when greens are
12 inches and the root 2–3 inches; can be kept in the
ground at 35ºF–80ºF, but only those planted for winter
crop; spring plants must be taken young (30–40 days)
Rotation: Don’t follow cabbage family
Edible: Root and leaves
TURNIP • 257