Crops › Turnip
How to grow Turnip
in the US
Sow March to September, plant out October, harvest May to November. About 45 days from seed to plate. You can sow it this month.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Now then, turnips, eh? People sometimes forget about 'em, but they're cracking to grow, proper quick from seed to plate, and you can get 'em going in spring or for a nice fall crop. Dead easy on the plot, honestly, even for a beginner.
Sowing
Turnips like it cool, so you'll want to get your seeds in the ground either in early spring, once the danger of a hard frost has passed, or in late summer for a fall crop. Check your USDA zone for the best months to sow, it varies a fair bit across the States, you know what I mean. Direct sow them about half an inch (1 cm) deep, aiming for seeds 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) apart in rows that are about a foot (30 cm) apart. If you sow a small batch every couple of weeks, you'll have a continuous harvest, which is proper handy.
Growing on
Most folks just direct sow turnips, but if you do start them inside, get them transplanted out carefully when they're small, usually after the last frost for spring plantings. Make sure you thin your seedlings once they're a couple of inches (5 cm) tall, aiming for 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) between plants. This gives the roots plenty of room to swell up nicely. You can grow them in containers too, if you're short on space, just pick a decent-sized pot for them.
Looking after it
Turnips need consistent moisture, especially as the roots are developing, otherwise, they can get a bit woody or bolt. Give them a good drink, particularly in dry spells. They don't need a lot of feeding if your soil is decent, maybe a bit of compost worked in before planting. Keep the area around them clear of weeds, too, so they don't have to compete for nutrients and water.
What goes wrong
Slugs and aphids can be a nuisance, so keep an eye out for them and pick 'em off or wash them away with a bit of soapy water. Cabbage worms are another pest to watch for, they love to munch on the leaves. I find a good row cover is the best way to keep them off, just pop it over your plants as soon as they're up. Planting marigolds or nasturtiums nearby can sometimes help deter them too, like I say, every little helps.
Harvest
You can start harvesting turnips when the roots are still small, maybe 2 inches (5 cm) across, for a really tender, sweet flavor. Just pull them gently from the soil. They're usually ready in about 45 days. If you leave them too long, they can get a bit woody. You can eat the greens too, mind. For storing, pop them in a cool, dry place, or in the fridge if you're using them within a few days.
To be honest, I always try to pick my turnips when they're on the smaller side. They're much sweeter and less likely to get that strong, peppery bite, you know what I mean.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Purple Top White Globe Purple Top White Globe is a proper classic turnip, a reliable performer that's been around for ages. It's a great choice if you're just starting out or just want a good solid crop. | No club votes yet |
| Hakurei Hakurei is a lovely, sweet turnip, often called a 'salad turnip' because it's so good eaten raw. It's a reliable performer that's best picked young for that delicate flavor. | No club votes yet |
| Tokyo Cross Tokyo Cross is another cracking variety, known for its quick growth and uniform, round roots. It's a reliable performer that's great if you want a consistent, early harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Golden Ball Golden Ball is a bit different with its lovely yellow skin and sweet, mild flesh. It's a reliable performer that's often said to store a bit better than some of the white varieties. | No club votes yet |
| White Lady White Lady gives you beautiful, pure white roots that are really tender and mild. It's a reliable performer, good for eating fresh or lightly cooked. | No club votes yet |
| Seven Top Seven Top is a bit unique; you grow this one mainly for its abundant, nutritious greens, not so much the root. It's a reliable performer if you're after a good crop of turnip greens. | No club votes yet |
| Shogoin Shogoin is a bit of a dual-purpose turnip, giving you both good roots and plenty of tasty greens. It's a reliable performer that's also known for being a decent keeper. | No club votes yet |
| Scarlet Queen Scarlet Queen is a pretty one, with bright scarlet skin and crisp white flesh. It's a reliable performer that adds a bit of color to your plate and has a nice, mild taste. | No club votes yet |
| Purple Top Milan Purple Top Milan gives you flattened, tender roots that are ready quite early in the season. It's a reliable performer and a good choice if you're keen for an quick harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Market Express Market Express, as the name suggests, is a fast-growing variety that gives you uniform, early roots. It's a reliable performer if you're after speed and consistency. | No club votes yet |
| Just Right Just Right is a solid, dependable choice for an all-around good turnip. It's a reliable performer that lives up to its name, giving you consistent results. | No club votes yet |
| Oasis Oasis is a good option if you're in an area where it gets a bit warmer, as it shows some heat tolerance. It's a reliable performer, meaning you might get a crop where others struggle. | No club votes yet |
| Nagasaki Akari Nagasaki Akari is a lovely, small turnip with a reddish skin and a really sweet flavor. It's a reliable performer, great for adding to salads or eating fresh. | No club votes yet |
| Mikado Mikado is another quick-growing variety that gives you neat, uniform roots. It's a reliable performer, perfect for both your spring and fall plantings. | No club votes yet |
| Hidabeni Hidabeni offers attractive red-skinned roots with crisp white flesh, really good eaten raw in salads. It's a reliable performer and a bit of a looker on the plate. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Turnip seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May to August | July to September |
| Zone 4 | April to August | June to October |
| Zone 5 | March to September | May to November |
| Zone 6 | March to September | May to November |
| Zone 7 | February to October | April to December |
| Zone 8 | February to October | April to December |
| Zone 9 | January to November | March to December |
| Zone 10 | September to February | March to December |
Cook the harvest
The iconic bright pink pickled turnips served in every Lebanese and Syrian restaurant in America — crunchy, vibrantly tangy, and as easy to make at home as pouring a brine over turnips and beet. The beet does nothing for flavor but transforms the brine into a vivid magenta that stains the turnips a shocking, beautiful pink within 24 hours. These belong on every mezze table.
20 min · easyTender turnip halves braised in a dashi and white miso broth until silky and infused with umami — a Japanese-inspired preparation that transforms this humble root into something elegant. The miso tempers the turnip's natural bitterness and adds a savory, fermented depth that is completely addictive. Serve alongside grilled salmon, rice, or as part of a vegetable spread.
35 min · easyThin slices of turnip layered with cream, garlic, and Gruyère cheese then baked until golden and bubbling — a richly satisfying gratin that makes turnips utterly irresistible. The cream tames the turnip's natural sharpness and the cheese creates a crackling, golden crust. A stunning side for any roast or an impressive vegetarian centerpiece.
75 min · mediumA slow-cooked, deeply flavored beef and turnip stew where chunks of turnip take on the rich, savory braising liquid and hold their shape beautifully. Turnip has long been the underappreciated root vegetable of stews — it absorbs the beef juices better than carrot and adds a welcome slight bitterness that balances the richness. This is the stew that rewards patience with something genuinely nourishing.
140 min · mediumWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: marigolds, nasturtium
Questions people ask
When do you sow Turnip in the US?
Sow Turnip from March to September in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out October, after the last frost.
How long does Turnip take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 45 days, with the harvest May to November.
Which Turnip varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Purple Top White Globe, Hakurei, Tokyo Cross, Golden Ball and more.
Track your Turnip from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.