Turnips

mardatha

This year I've decided to give up trying the impossible and grow stuff that we like and that likes growing up here
All I can think of is turnip. How do you grow turnip?

Del_Astra

What about Tatties? Surely you can grow them? Or do you not like tatties?

siwucha

Sorry if this sounds picky, but do you mean turnip or swede?
They are both members of the cabbage family so benefit from fertile soil/some nice compost/rotted manure but they aren't as hungry as cabbages/cauliflower etc.
Turnips are a lot faster growing and you can pick them relatively small; apparently you can eat the leaves, but personally I think they taste awful
Swede are slower growing; mine are also always attacked by cabbage white and cabbage moth caterpillars but both are generally quite low maintenance.
I live up a hill too in northern england, and I've managed to get both to grow quite easily - plant them in the ground in rows and thin out - turnip should be about 10-20cm and swedes about 30-35cm apart (depending on how big you want them). They are both hardy and can be left in the ground in the autumn unless its really wet, but I tend to use turnips as a summer vegetable as they are ready so fast, and swedes as a winter veg. Not sure if that helps, but good luck

mardatha

I think I mean turnip. And thanks!

forgotmyname

Plant turnip seeds and wait. Then wait a bit longer then wait some more.

Dont buy old seeds, I was told old seeds wont work when it comes to turnips or was that parsnips? Maybe parsnips.

I planted old peas and no issues. Years out of date.

cjb02

how to grow turnips... dig over ground and de-weed. put a line of string out (to identify the row), mark out a v shape in soil under string (inch deep). put seed in sparingly at bottom of v shape. cover seed over and make sure soil is damp. wait. make sure you know what a turnip seedling looks like (baby brassica leaves) de-weed regularly avoiding baby turnips. repeat de-weeding frequently. voila. several months late you have turnips.

here is a rough guide . in the guide it says about thinning out. I wouldnt as much, but thats my opinion

what else to grow, well kale, parnsip, runner beans? but only thing you like to eat.

mardatha

Ok got that, thanks. I have grown kale, and use it in soup - that way you can't taste the stuff lol!

RAS

just keep both away from the coos, mar.

have you considered growing a blackberry or other prickly fruit cane along the rear fence?

mardatha

I planted hedging roses RAS.

cjb02

mardatha wrote: »

Ok got that, thanks. I have grown kale, and use it in soup - that way you can't taste the stuff lol!

I have heard people mention they are not keen on kale , I tried one called red urusla last year though and I was quite impressed, I even liked it raw!