When To Plant Turnips In Georgia

If you’re wondering when to plant turnips in Georgia, you’re in the right place. Getting the timing right is the first step to a great harvest of sweet roots and tender greens.

Georgia’s long growing season and varied climate zones make it perfect for turnips. You can actually grow them in both spring and fall. The fall season, however, is often the most productive and easiest for beginners. Let’s break down the best times and methods for your garden.

For most of Georgia, the optimal planting times are in late summer to early fall and again in very early spring. Turnips are a cool-season crop, meaning they thrive in cooler temperatures and can even handle a light frost, which makes them sweeter.

Fall Planting (The Best Bet)

This is the prime time for turnips in Georgia. Planting in late summer allows the roots to develop in warm soil and mature during the cool, crisp days of autumn.

North Georgia: Plant from mid-August through early October.
Middle Georgia: Aim for late August to mid-October.
South Georgia: You can plant from early September all the way into late October, sometimes even early November.

A good rule of thumb is to plant your fall turnip seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before your first average fall frost date. This gives them plenty of time to grow.

Spring Planting (A Quicker Harvest)

Spring turnips are grown for a faster, often smaller harvest. You need to get them in the ground early so they mature before the heat of summer arrives, which can make the roots woody and bitter.

North Georgia: Plant as soon as the soil can be worked in late February to late March.
Middle & South Georgia: You can start in late January through February.

Be prepared to harvest spring-planted turnips quickly once they reach size, as they won’t hold well in summer heat.

Choosing the Right Turnip Variety

Picking a variety suited to Georgia’s climate and your taste will make a big difference. Some are bred for their large roots, while others are perfect for their greens.

Purple Top White Globe: A classic, reliable variety with great roots and greens.
Tokyo Cross/Hakurei: Sweet, white, salad-type turnips that mature quickly. Excellent for spring planting.
Seven Top: Grown primarily for its abundant, flavorful greens.
Scarlet Queen: Has vibrant red roots and holds well in the garden.

Preparing Your Garden Soil

Turnips aren’t too fussy, but they do best in loose, well-draining soil. Heavy clay soil, common in parts of Georgia, can cause misshapen roots.

Loosen the Soil: Till or dig your bed to a depth of at least 12 inches.
Add Compost: Mix in 2-3 inches of well-rotted compost or aged manure. This improves drainage and fertility.
Check the pH: Turnips prefer a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A simple soil test from your local extension office can give you this info.
Fertilize Lightly: Use a balanced fertilizer (like 10-10-10) according to package directions before planting. Avoid to much nitrogen, which gives you all leaves and small roots.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Follow these simple steps for sucessful turnip planting.

Direct Sowing is Best: Turnips do not transplant well. Always sow seeds directly into your garden bed.
Planting Depth: Sow seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.
Spacing: Space seeds about 1 inch apart in rows that are 12 to 18 inches apart.
Thinning: Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to stand 3 to 6 inches apart. The thinned greens are edible in salads!
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist for good germination and growth. Water deeply once or twice a week if rain is lacking.

Caring for Your Growing Turnips

A little ongoing care ensures healthy plants.

Mulching: Apply a layer of straw or pine straw to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil temperatures even.
Weeding: Keep the area around your turnips free of weeds, which compete for nutrients. Be careful not to damage the shallow roots.
Pest Watch: Watch for flea beetles (tiny holes in leaves) and cabbage loopers. Row covers can provide excellent protection, especially for young plants.
Succession Planting: For a continuous harvest, sow a new batch of seeds every two weeks during the main planting window.

Harvesting Your Georgia Turnips

One of the joys of turnips is that you can harvest them at multiple stages.

Greens: You can start snipping young, tender leaves when they are 4-6 inches tall. Never take more than one-third of the plant if you want the root to keep growing.
Baby Roots: Some varieties, like Hakurei, can be pulled as sweet “baby” turnips when the root is just 1-2 inches in diameter.
Mature Roots: Most main-crop varieties are ready when the root is 2-3 inches in diameter, often pushing up out of the soil. They should be firm and smooth.

For fall turnips, a light frost or two will improve their flavor. You can even leave them in the ground and harvest as needed well into winter in many parts of Georgia, using a heavy mulch for protection.

Common Problems and Solutions

Here’s how to tackle a few typical issues.

Woody or Bitter Roots: Caused by hot weather or letting them grow to large. Harvest on time and stick to the cool-season windows.
Poor Root Formation: Often due to overcrowding (didn’t thin), heavy clay soil, or excessive nitrogen fertilizer.
Bolting: If the plant sends up a flower stalk, it’s usually triggered by a period of cold weather followed by warmth in spring-planted crops. The root becomes inedible. Focus on fall planting to avoid this.

FAQ: Planting Turnips in Georgia

Can you plant turnips in the summer in Georgia?

It’s not recommended. Summer heat stresses the plants, leading to poor root development, bitterness, and increased pest problems. Stick to spring and fall.

How late can you plant turnips in Georgia?

For a fall crop, you can plant up until about 6 weeks before your first hard freeze. In South Georgia, this can mean a planting window into early November for a late winter harvest.

What is the best fertilizer for turnips?

A balanced, all-purpose vegetable garden fertilizer applied at planting is sufficient. To much nitrogen will give you lush greens but tiny roots.

Can turnips grow in partial shade?

They prefer full sun (6+ hours), but will tolerate light afternoon shade, especially in warmer regions. Yields may be slightly smaller.

Do turnips come back every year?

No, turnips are biennials grown as annuals. They complete their life cycle (seed to root to seed) over two growing seasons, but we harvest them in the first year.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to enjoy homegrown turnips from your Georgia garden for much of the year. The key is respecting their love for cool weather and giving them the simple care they need. With good timing and a little attention, you’ll have a plentiful harvest of this Southern garden staple.