When To Plant Turnip Greens In Alabama

Getting your turnip greens planting time right is the secret to a long, productive harvest. If you’re wondering when to plant turnip greens in Alabama, you’re in luck because our climate is perfect for growing them almost year-round.

With two main planting windows, you can enjoy these nutritious greens from your garden for many months. The key is understanding Alabama’s unique seasons and working with them, not against them.

For most Alabama gardeners, the best times to plant are in late summer for a fall harvest and again in late winter for a spring harvest. The goal is to have the greens mature during cooler weather, which makes them sweeter and more tender.

Primary Planting Windows

Let’s break down the two main seasons for planting turnip greens across the state.

Fall Planting (The Main Crop)

This is the most popular and often most successful planting time. You’ll want to get seeds in the ground from late August through mid-October.

North Alabama: Aim for late August to the end of September.
Central Alabama: Plant from early September to mid-October.
South Alabama: You can stretch your planting from mid-September through late October.

Fall planting allows the greens to mature in the cool, crisp autumn air. They often survive through mild winters, providing harvests into the new year.

Spring Planting

For an early summer harvest, you can plant a spring crop. Timing is tighter here, as you need to beat the summer heat.

North Alabama: Plant as soon as the soil can be worked in late February or early March.
Central Alabama: Late January through February is ideal.
South Alabama: You can start as early as January.

The trick with spring planting is to get the crop harvested before the peak summer heat arrives, which can make the greens bitter and cause them to bolt.

Understanding Your Alabama Zone

Alabama spans USDA Hardiness Zones 7a to 9a. This range significantly impacts your planting schedule.

Zones 7a-7b (North): Colder winters mean a shorter fall window and a later spring start. Focus on protecting early spring crops from a late frost.
Zones 8a-8b (Central & Much of State): This is the sweet spot for turnip greens. You have long, flexible planting seasons.
Zone 9a (Southern Coast & Interior South): Mild winters allow for almost continous planting. You can succession plant from fall straight through to early spring.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Once you’ve got your date, follow these steps for a great crop.

1. Choosing a Location & Soil Prep

Turnip greens need full sun to partial shade (about 6 hours of sun). They prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter.

Loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches.
Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or well-rotted manure. This improves drainage and fertility.
Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5. A simple soil test from your county extension office can confirm this.

2. Planting the Seeds

Turnip greens are grown from seed sown directly in the garden.

Create shallow rows about 1/2 inch deep.
Sow seeds thinly, spacing them about an inch apart in the row.
Cover the seeds lightly with fine soil and pat down gently.
Water the area thoroughly with a gentle spray.

Seeds typically germinate in 4 to 7 days. For a continuous harvest, plant a new batch of seeds every two to three weeks during your planting window.

3. Caring for Your Growing Greens

Consistent care is simple but crucial for tender leaves.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, providing about 1 inch of water per week. Use a soaker hose to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease.
Thinning: Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to stand 4-6 inches apart. You can eat the thinnings!
Fertilizing: Side-dress the plants with a balanced, nitrogen-rich fertilizer about 3 weeks after planting to encourage lush leaf growth.
Weeding: Keep the bed weed-free to reduce competition for water and nutrients. Mulching helps alot with this.

Common Pests and Problems

A few pests enjoy turnip greens as much as we do. Here’s how to manage them.

Flea Beetles: These tiny jumping insects create small holes in leaves. Use floating row covers to protect young plants.
Aphids: They cluster on the undersides of leaves. A strong spray of water from the hose can dislodge them.
Cabbage Loopers: Hand-pick these green caterpillars, or use an organic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray.
Downy Mildew: This fungal disease appears as yellow spots on leaves. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Harvesting Your Bounty

You can start harvesting in about 40-50 days for most varieties.

“Cut-and-Come-Again” Method: This is the most popular. Use scissors to snip off the outer, older leaves when they are 4-6 inches long. Leave the inner, younger leaves to continue growing. The plant will produce new leaves for multiple harvests.
Whole Plant Harvest: You can also pull the entire plant, especially if you need to thin the row or if hot weather is causing it to bolt.

Harvest in the morning when leaves are crisp and full of moisture. If you’ve planted a variety that produces a turnip root, like ‘Purple Top’, you can harvest the root once it reaches 2-3 inches in diameter.

Recommended Varieties for Alabama

Choosing the right variety can make your gardening even more succesful.

Seven Top: A classic, leafy variety grown specifically for its greens. It’s very hardy.
Purple Top White Globe: Excellent for both greens and a tasty, purple-topped root.
Shogoin: Another dual-purpose type known for its fast-growing, tender greens.
Topper: A great choice if you want lots of leaves and no bulbing root.
Southern Green: As the name implies, it’s a reliable performer in our heat and humidity.

Season Extension Tips

With a little effort, you can stretch your harvest season even further.

For Early Spring/Late Fall: Use floating row covers or cold frames to protect young plants from frosts. The cover can provide a few degrees of protection.
For Overwintering: In Central and South Alabama, a well-established fall planting will often survive the winter. Growth slows but resumes in early spring, giving you the very first greens of the year.
Container Growing: If space is limited, turnip greens grow well in pots that are at least 8 inches deep. You can move containers to sheltered areas during extreme weather.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you plant turnip greens in the summer in Alabama?

It’s not generally recommended. The intense summer heat causes the greens to become tough, bitter, and bolt (go to seed) quickly. For a summer harvest, you’d need to plant a heat-tolerant variety very early in spring.

How late can you plant turnip greens in Alabama?

For a fall crop, you can plant up until about 4-6 weeks before your first expected hard frost. In South Alabama, this can mean planting into November. The plants growth will be slower with shorter days.

Do turnip greens come back every year?

No, turnip greens are an annual crop. They complete their life cycle in one season. However, as mentioned, they can sometimes survive a mild winter and provide a second harvest in spring before they finally go to seed.

What is the best fertilizer for turnip greens?

A balanced vegetable garden fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) works well. Since you’re primarily growing leaves, a fertilizer with a slightly higher nitrogen (the first number) can promote lush, green growth. Always follow the label instructions.

Can I plant turnip greens from the grocery store?

If you buy turnips with the tops still attached, you can try regrowing the greens in water for a small harvest. However, for a full garden crop, it’s best to start from seed packets meant for gardening, as they offer proven varieties and better germination rates.

By following these simple guidelines for when to plant turnip greens in Alabama, you’ll set yourself up for a succesful and rewarding harvest. Remember, the perfect timing for your specific garden might take a season or two to fine-tune, so keep notes on what works best in your yard. With a little planning, you can have homegrown, delicious turnip greens on your table for much of the year.