Turnips are cool-season root vegetables known for their nutritional richness. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them a valuable addition to your home garden. Growing turnips in containers at home isn’t just about sowing the seeds; It’s a journey that involves transforming tiny seeds into crunchy, delicious vegetables. In this detailed guide, we’ll discuss how to grow turnips from seeds or in pots at home, from planting turnip seeds to harvesting your own home-grown turnips. Get ready to plant turnips from seed in your home garden and enjoy this delicious root vegetable.
Information To Grow Turnips from Seeds
- Common Name: Turnip, Shalgam or shaljam (In Hindi)
- Scientific Name: Brassica rapa subsp. Rapa
- Germination Temperature: 50-75°F (10-24°C)
- Germination Days: 5-14 days
- Level of Growing: Beginner to Intermediate
- Harvesting Days: 45-65 days
- Water Needs: Regular watering
- Sunlight: Full sunlight
Essential Tools and Materials To Grow Turnips From Seeds
To grow or plant turnips from seeds at home, gather the necessary tools and materials:
- High-Quality Turnip Seeds: Choose a reputed website like organicbazar.net where you get the best quality turnip seeds at affordable prices with high germination rates.
- Containers or Grow Bags: Opt for suitable size containers or grow bags with good drainage.
- High-Quality Potting Soil Mix: Turnips prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
- Watering Can or Spray Bottle: Take a watering can or spray bottle to provide consistent moisture without waterlogging.
- Organic Fertilizers: Choose a balanced organic fertilizer suitable for root vegetables.
- Gardening Tools: Basic gardening tools like a trowel, and hand gloves will be essential.
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Turnips Growing Season in India: Timing Matters
- Understanding the ideal growing season for turnips is important for a successful harvest.
- In India, the best time to plant a turnip is in cool seasons like spring, autumn (fall), and winter. You can sow the seeds from September to November for winter crops or from late January to early February for spring crops.
- Additionally, planting turnips in late summer ensures harvest before the onset of winter.
Choosing the Right Turnip Variety
There are many varieties of turnips that you can choose from as per your preference and garden conditions. Common types include purple top turnip, turnip white, turnip red. Consider factors such as flavor, color, and size to select varieties that suit your culinary preferences and available space.
Optimal Grow Bag Or Pot Sizes For Planting Turnips
To grow turnips from seed at home, it is essential to select the correct size of the grow bag. Turnips generally require pots or grow bags at least 6-12 inches deep for proper root expansion. Make sure your chosen container allows proper space, promoting strong growth. Some of the best pot sizes for growing turnips from seed are:
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Best Potting Soil For Growing Turnips At Home
- Turnips prefer well-drained, sandy soils with high organic matter and slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.5).
- Enrich the soil with organic matter like vermicompost, cow manure, or neem cake to provide essential nutrients.
Step-by-Step Guide To Grow Turnip At Home From Seed
- Preparing the Soil: Turnips grow best in sandy and well-draining soil. Prepare the soil by removing debris and adding organic matter.
- Methods Of Sowing Turnip Seeds: Turnip seeds should be sown directly into final pots or grow bags as it is a root vegetables and may not grow well with transplanting.
- Planting the Seeds: Sow turnip seeds directly into soil or pots at a depth of about 0.5 inches and maintain a distance of 2-3 inches between each seed.
- Watering and Sunlight: Keep the soil moist and place the pots in a sunny location. The turnip seeds will germinate in 5-14 days (depending on growing conditions and varieties).
- Thinning Seedlings: When turnip plants reach a few inches tall, thin them to 4-5 inches apart and remove weak plants to maintain the required spacing, and if you are growing turnips for leafy vegetables, thin them to 2-3 inches apart.
(Read More: How to Choose the Perfect Organic Soil for Your Garden…)
How To Care For Turnip Plants
After knowing how to grow turnips from seeds in pots or in the ground at home, let’s learn how to care for turnip plants. Here’s a guide to caring for your turnip plants:
Watering:
- Give regular water during the growing season and make sure the soil doesn’t dry out, especially the first few days.
- Avoid over-watering the plants as this can lead to cracking of the roots.
- Water at the base of the plants to keep the leaves from getting wet.
Sunlight:
- Make sure your turnip plants get proper sunlight, insufficient light can result in leggy growth and smaller roots.
- Turnips require 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- It can also grow in partial shade (at least 4-5 hours)
Fertilizing:
- While planting turnips, mix organic fertilizer such as vermicompost, cow manure, or neem cake in the potting soil.
- Avoid adding too much nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
- Use balanced liquid fertilizer such as bio npk fertilizer during the growing time every 2 weeks.
Protecting Against Pests and Diseases:
- Aphids and flea beetles disturb the growth of turnip plants.
- Downy mildew and bacterial diseases such as black rot and bacterial leaf spot are some common diseases that infect the plant.
- Keep an eye out for common pests and diseases use neem oil to control these pests, and avoid getting water on the leaves to protect the plants from diseases.
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Harvesting Your Turnips
The moment of harvest is when your efforts actually bear fruit. Turnips are usually ready to harvest 45-65 days after planting. Here’s how to harvest turnips correctly:
- Check the size: Harvest the turnips when they reach the desired size, usually 2-3 inches in diameter.
- Loosen the soil: Gently loosen the soil around the turnip with a garden fork, then pull the turnip out of the soil.
- Harvest the greens: You can also harvest the tender greens of turnips when they are 4-6 inches long and leave the roots intact so the plant can continue producing.
Celebrating Your Turnips Harvest
After harvesting fresh turnips, enjoy them in salads, soups, or as a delicious side dish. Home-grown vegetables are tastier than we can imagine and it provides us with experience and support for further gardening. Enjoy this delicious harvest.
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Growing or planting turnips from seeds in containers is an amazing experience that connects you to the rhythms of nature. By following these detailed guides and tips on how to grow/plant turnips from seeds at home in pots or in the home garden, you will not only harvest delicious turnips but also gain gardening knowledge.