When To Plant Turnips In Alabama

If you’re planning your Alabama garden, knowing when to plant turnips is the key to a great harvest. Getting the timing right means you’ll enjoy sweet, tender roots and flavorful greens. This guide will walk you through the best planting windows for your area and how to care for your crop.

Alabama’s long growing season offers two main chances to plant turnips. The most common time is in the fall. But you can also plant in late winter or early spring for an earlier harvest. The goal is to avoid the peak summer heat, which makes turnips bitter and tough.

Fall Planting: The Prime Season

Fall is the ideal time for turnips in Alabama. The cooling temperatures and consistent moisture create perfect conditions. You want the roots to mature during crisp autumn weather.

Best Dates: Plant from late August through October. A good rule is to sow seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before your first expected fall frost.
North Alabama: Aim for late August to mid-September.
Central Alabama: Plant from early September to early October.
South Alabama: You can plant from mid-September through late October, sometimes even into November.

Fall-planted turnips often have the best flavor. The light frosts actually sweeten the roots. This timing also helps avoid many common pests.

Spring Planting: A Second Chance

Spring planting is trickier but possible. You must plant very early so turnips mature before summer heat arrives. They grow best in temperatures between 40°F and 75°F.

Best Dates: Plant as soon as the soil can be worked in late winter. This is usually February or early March.
Key Tip: Get your seeds in the ground 2 to 4 weeks before your last spring frost date. This gives them time to grow while it’s still cool.
Variety Choice: Choose fast-maturing varieties for spring, like ‘Tokyo Cross’ or ‘Hakurei’.

Spring-planted turnips need close attention. You must harvest them promptly before hot weather sets in. Otherwise, they’ll become woody and bolt, which means they send up a flower stalk.

Choosing the Right Turnip Variety

Picking a variety suited to Alabama’s climate improves your success. Some are bred for roots, others for lush greens, and many for both.

Purple Top White Globe: A classic, reliable variety. It produces large roots and handles temperature swings well.
Seven Top: Grown primarily for its abundant, tasty greens. The roots are small but the leaves are prolific.
Shogoin: Excellent for both roots and greens. It performs reliably in southern gardens.
Tokyo Cross/Hakurei: Fast-maturing, sweet, salad-type turnips. Perfect for spring planting or sucesive fall sowings.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Turnips are easy to grow from seed sown directly in the garden. Follow these steps for a healthy start.

Prepare the Soil: Turnips need loose, well-draining soil. Work the area to a depth of 12 inches. Remove rocks and clumps that could hinder root growth. Mix in a couple inches of compost.
Sow the Seeds: Plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep. Space them 1 inch apart in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart. You can also broadcast seeds in a wide row for greens.
Initial Watering: Water the bed gently but thoroughly after planting. Keep the soil consistently moist for good germination.
Thinning: Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them. For root production, space plants 4 to 6 inches apart. For greens only, you can leave them a bit closer.

Don’t throw away those thinned seedlings. The young greens are delicious in a salad or sauteed. Its a nice early taste of your harvest.

Caring for Your Turnip Crop

Ongoing care is simple but important for plump roots and tender leaves.

Watering and Feeding

Turnips need about 1 inch of water per week. Use a rain gauge to check. Even moisture is crucial; dry soil leads to woody roots, while soggy soil causes rot.

If your soil is rich in compost, extra fertilizer may not be needed. A light side-dressing of a balanced fertilizer about 3 weeks after planting can help. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they encourage leafy growth at the expense of the root.

Managing Pests and Problems

Keep an eye out for a few common issues. Flea beetles are tiny insects that pepper leaves with small holes. Use row covers right after planting as a physical barrier.

Aphids can cluster on the undersides of leaves. A strong spray of water from the hose often knocks them off. Root maggots can damage the turnip itself. Rotating your crop each year helps prevent this problem.

Harvesting at the Perfect Time

Knowing when to harvest ensures the best texture and flavor. Timing depends on whether you want greens, roots, or both.

For Greens: You can start harvesting young leaves when they are 4 to 6 inches tall. Take a few outer leaves from each plant, and they will continue to produce.
For Roots: Most varieties are ready 45 to 60 days after planting. Check size by gently brushing soil away from the top of the root. They’re best harvested when 2 to 3 inches in diameter for most globe types.
Pro Tip: Harvest fall turnips after a light frost or two for peak sweetness. But be sure to pull them all before a hard freeze.

Use a garden fork to loosen the soil beside the row before pulling up the roots. This prevents breaking the tops off. After harvesting, remove the greens if you’re storing the roots, as the leaves will draw out moisture.

Storing Your Alabama Turnip Harvest

Proper storage lets you enjoy your harvest for months. For short-term use, turnips keep well in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer for up to two weeks.

For long-term storage, place unwashed roots in a bucket or bin filled with slightly damp sand or peat moss. Store them in a cool, humid place like a root cellar or basement. They can last several months this way. Don’t forget you can also blanch and freeze the greens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you plant turnips in the summer in Alabama?
It’s not recommended. Summer heat stresses the plants, causing poor root development and a bitter, pithy taste. Stick to spring and fall planting windows.

How late is too late to plant turnips in Alabama?
For a fall crop, you need about 6 weeks of growing time before a hard freeze. In South Alabama, you can sometimes plant into early November. In North Alabama, aim to have seeds in the ground by mid-October at the latest.

Can I grow turnips in containers?
Yes! Choose a container at least 12 inches deep. Use a quality potting mix and keep it consistently watered. Shallow or round varieties are best for pots.

Why are my turnip roots long and skinny instead of round?
This usually means the soil is too compacted. Turnips need loose, fluffy soil to expand properly. Adding organic matter like compost before next planting will improve soil structure.

Do turnips need full sun?
They grow best in full sun, which means at least 6 hours of direct light per day. They can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer parts of the state, but roots may be smaller.

By following these timing guidelines and care tips, you’ll be well on your way to a succesful turnip harvest. Remember, the secret is matching the crop’s cool-season preferences with Alabama’s unique climate. With a little planning, you can enjoy homegrown turnips from your own garden.