Brassica rapa

Cultivation

Sow directly to the regular place. It grows in low temperatures as well – some degrees above 0 °C (32 °F).

Distance between plants

At least 30 cm (12 in) between rows. Thin out the plants in a row to 20 cm (8 in) distance.

Location

Sunny.

Amount

To 20 plants per person.

Time of planting

June-July. It germinates in 7-10 days.

Fertilization

Don’t fertilize, but plant where the previous plant was fertilized. Be careful about the lack of boron.

Watering

It is a less demanding plant, but needs sufficient moisture.

Turnip’s good neighbors

Vetch, peas, beans, lettuce, spinach, calendula, tagetes.

Turnip’s bad neighbors

Other crucifers.

Diseases and pests

Flea beetles and butterfly caterpillars. It is not demanding and the pests harm only the young plants. It can be attacked by clubroot in acidic soil. Keep the soil soft and well drained.

Turnip’s storage

Pick in November. Store in sand in a moist and cool basement or pickle like cabbage.

Food

Use the leaves for green salad or juice, and the root for sour turnips. It contains a lot of mustard oils, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is especially beneficial in fall and winter diets.

Important

Sow in the second half of summer. If the temperatures are too high, the roots don’t develop.

Miscellaneous

Carinthian turnip is an especially good quality sort. There are round and long-rooted varieties.