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Turnip is a member of the mustard family and is therefore related to cabbage and cauliflower.
Turnips and Swedes are two different species.
Most varieties of turnip are white-fleshed and swedes are generally yellow fleshed, however the reverse can be equally true i.e. there are also white fleshed swedes and yellow fleshed turnips.
Turnip leaves are somewhat rough, with sparse, stiff hairs over them while those of the Swede are smooth like cabbage leaves,
Turnip require a shorter growing season than swedes.
Both are sensitive to hot weather, which makes them both well suited to growing in the UK
Week 15: Sow seeds in the open for an early crop, choosing a south facing plot; protect the plants with cloches if the weather turns cold.
On completion apply a top dressing of carbonate of lime at the rate of 150gms (6oz) per sq.m on all but limy or chalky soils.
Germination will take 5-7 days
Week 21; Make successional sowings of summer varieties monthly from now until August.
As with most 'rootcrops' a friable, light soil suits turnips best, but any fertile soil rich in phosphates is suitable.
Add a top dressing of Superphosphate and bone-meal at a rate of 100gms(4oz) per sq m prior to sowing.
Sow seeds in 12mm (½") deep drills drawn 400mm (16") apart.
Week 27; Thin the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and then again as they grow.
Allow 150mm (6") between summer turnips and 250mm (10") between autumn and winter varieties.
Week 29; Give the young plants a thorough soaking once a week during prolonged dry weather.
Harvest summer turnips when young, pulling them as they are required.
Week 35; Make a late sowing of hardy maincrop turnip varieties for a supply of roots during winter.
Sow thinly along drills drawn out 300mm (12”) apart, and thin the seedlings when no more than 25mm (1”) high.
Aim for a final root spacing of 150mm (6”) along the rows.
Week 40; In preparation for the following season, manure the soil liberally with well-rotted compost, ensure the manure is dug in quite deeply or the roots may fork.
Week 43; If your ground is heavy or liable to deep frost penetration in winter, lift and store turnips sown before July.
Trim off turnip tops about 12mm (1/2”) above the crowns with a sharp knife.
Cover bottom of containers with moist sand, add alternate layers of roots and sand until filled.
Store under cover and inspect periodically for signs of rot.
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