Snowball Turnip

Seeds can be sown from May → July directly outdoors. Or, can be planted in seed trays to transplant later. You don’t need to press the soil too firmly into each cell, the seedlings will have an easier time pushing down their roots if it’s a little fluffy. Make sure each module is full and there aren’t any air pockets. Sow 3-5 seeds into each module of a seedling tray. Sprinkle a little compost over the seeds, patting down gently and making sure the seeds are covered.
Next, water thoroughly or sit the tray in water to allow the compost to soak up as much water as possible.
Put your label in place so you remember what you have planted.
Turnips germinate quickly, so within a week or two you should see some seedlings poking out the compost. Ensure the seedlings get enough light and don’t become leggy.




By week 6, your seedlings should be looking really healthy and are developing lots of leaves. They’re now ready to be transplanted. Prefers full sun. Turnips prefer a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.5. Make sure the soil is well-draining so the roots don't rot.


Make a two inch deep hole for each cell. Aim for around an inch or two gap. Place each pod into each hole and press down so the top of the cell is flush with the top of the soil. Place your fingers either side of the stem and gently push down. Lastly, give them a good water. Transplanted seedlings can get shocked by being moved and their roots disturbed. We limit this by using a similar soil in both the tray and the pot and by watering the roots in well after moving them.


Checking at the start of week 10 to see how the roots are just about to start growing. Start giving the plant liquid feed once a week which will give the plant enough nutrients to support the growth.


The roots are ready when you can see healthy sized turnips poking out of the ground. Harvesting is straight forward, but with multi-sown roots, you need to be careful not to damage the other plants in the clump. You only need to harvest what you wish to cook and eat and the rest should stay in the ground to continue to grow. Look at each of the clusters and harvest from those which have a large root showing. Take the largest root and twist it out of the cluster. Don’t pull it out or it’ll damage the other plants.