Which varieties of turnips to plant in the vegetable garden ?

The turnip (Brassica rapa) is a root vegetable of the family of Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferous) just like cabbages. Low in calories, rich in water, the turnip provides the body with various minerals, trace elements and vitamins. To vary the pleasures, the good idea is to grow several varieties of turnips, and it does not fail. The official French catalog lists 25 of them, but they are 6 times more numerous to be registered in the European catalog of species. This is to say the choice offered to the gardener! Opting for various varieties is wise since we stagger the harvests and we can in this way taste these good root vegetables from the garden during a good part of the year. here is a selection of turnips to sow in the vegetable gardenas delicious as each other, whether early, seasonal or late.

Early turnips

These are the early turnips whose still immature root is harvested from the month of February and more or less until June.

Seasonal turnips (summer, early fall)

These turnips are harvested from the second half of June until the end of September or the beginning of October, when autumn is just around the corner.

Late turnips

These are turnips that we like to find from the first frostsin particular because they allow us to prepare comforting soups and veloutés as well as the first hotpots to share with family or friends.

The choice of turnips to grow in the garden depends on individual tastes and needs. This selection is not exhaustive, but allows you to vary the pleasures and harvest turnips at different times of the year. Do not hesitate to inquire at your favorite garden center about the best varieties of turnips adapted to your region.

Growing turnips: what you need to know

As turnips hate being transplantedthe best thing to do is sow them in place. It is important to reserve an area of ​​the vegetable garden for them sunny, but not hot. A semi-shaded section may be suitable, these plants must benefit from a minimum of 5 hours of sunshine per day. The turnip bed must be easily accessible to facilitate the maintenance of root vegetables.

Once the vegetable garden is ready to be sown, it is necessary to move on to sowing then to take care of your turnips as well as possible, taking into account their needs to benefit from an excellent quality harvest.

Prepare the location of the turnips

We prepare the ground two good weeks before sowing to offer them a loose soilperfectly weeded, enriched with phosphorus and potassium and taking into account that these root vegetables hate soils that are too calcareous.

Sow the turnips

On the day of sowing, it is necessary to dig furrows 2 cm deep and spaced from each other by about fifteen centimeters. We respect an interval of at least 5 cm between the turnip seeds. When the seedlings have formed a few leaves, it is necessary to thin out so that the most vigorous plants can benefit from good light and enough space.

Water the turnips

On the watering side, we think of keep the soil always moist because turnips hate dry soil. However, excess water should be avoided since it promotes root rot.

Mulch the turnips

The good idea is to lay a mulch at the foot of the turnips so that the soil retains both heat and humidity. In addition, mulching limits the development of weeds. However, as it is important to hoe regularly between the turnip plants to keep the loose soil and promote water infiltration into the soil, the task can be more complicated with mulching. To each gardener his preference, the main thing being that turnips never die of thirst!

Fertilize turnips

Contributions of compost are welcome for fortify turnips during their growth.

Harvest turnips from the vegetable garden

The time of the harvest turnips varies according to the variety grown, namely between May and November, or even throughout the winter if it does not freeze. These root vegetables are harvested as needed.

After growing turnips, the soil in the vegetable garden is usually exhausted. It is no longer fertile enough for other plants to grow. Also, when all the turnips have been harvested, it will be necessary dig and amend the soil in anticipation of the next plantations of other vegetables such as courgettes, chicory, tomatoes, beans, but we refrain from sowing new turnips there before 3 or 4 years. The rotation des cultures is therefore required.

In any case, growing turnips is the best solution to change the minds of people who are resistant to this type of root vegetable. Contrary to popular belief, turnips are tasty, and there are many very mild and even sweet varieties. To be discovered without delay.