Holly's Homestead — Root Vegetable
Turnip
Brassica rapa · Brassica family
DIFFICULTY Easy
TYPE Biennial, grown as annual, direct sown
MATURITY 40–60 days
TYPE Biennial, grown as annual, direct sown
MATURITY 40–60 days
Sun
Full–part sun
Water
Consistent
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Spacing
10–15cm × 30cm
Depth
1cm
01Fast, cool-season root
Turnips bulb quickly in loose soil. Both the root and the young leafy tops are edible — pick a few leaves without robbing the root of energy.
02Planting
Method
Direct sow; thin early.
Soil
Loose, well-drained, moderately fertile.
Timing
Sow in cooler months — spring or autumn.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Thin to final spacing early — crowding stunts roots.
- Keep watering even to avoid woody, hot-tasting roots.
- Harvest young for the mildest flavour.
- Pick a few outer leaves as a bonus green without harming the root.
04Problems
- Flea beetle — small holes in leaves; net young plants.
- Root maggot — tunnels in roots; rotate beds, avoid planting after other brassicas.
- Woody texture — left too long or dry conditions.
- Bolting — hot weather; sow in the cooler season.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Roots reach 5–8cm across, before they get woody.
Method
Pull by the leaves once soil is loosened.
Curing
None needed.
Storage
Fridge crisper, 2–3 weeks.
Preserving
See Root Cellaring (cool, dark storage without processing) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
PeasOnionAvoid nearby
Other brassicas nearby (shared pests)Rotation note
Rotate brassicas on a 3–4 year cycle.
