When should I plant turnips in Canada?

Turnips are a cool-season crop, best sown 2–3 weeks before the last spring frost or in late summer for a fall harvest. Hot summer weather makes the roots woody and bitter, so avoid mid-summer planting in most regions.

Can I eat both the turnip root and the greens?

Yes — turnip greens are edible and can be harvested at 35–40 days by cutting outer leaves while leaving the center intact, then the root can still be harvested later at 50–60 days once it reaches 2–3 inches across.

Plant care guide

Turnip Growing Guide

Brassica rapa

Turnips left unthinned grow all leaf and no root — thinning to 3–4 inches apart is the one step most gardeners skip and regret.

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Loose, well-drained, fertile soil, free of stones

Water

1–1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

Sowing

Direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost or in late summer for fall crop

Spacing

Thin to 3–4 in. apart in rows 12–18 in. apart

Days to harvest

35–40 (greens), 50–60 (roots)

Turnips are a fast, cold-tolerant crop well suited to Canadian gardens, doing best as a spring or fall crop when the weather is cool — hot summer temperatures make the roots woody and bitter. They're also one of the few vegetables that give you two harvests from one planting: tender greens early on, and sweet roots a few weeks later.

Planting

Direct sow 2–3 weeks before the last spring frost, or in late July to August for a fall crop — turnips don't transplant well
Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep, about 1 inch apart, in rows 12–18 inches apart
Loosen the soil deeply and remove stones before sowing so roots can form without splitting or forking
Work in aged compost before planting, but avoid excess nitrogen, which grows lush tops at the expense of the root
For a fall crop, aim to harvest before the ground freezes; turnips tolerate light frost and actually sweeten after it

Thinning

Thin seedlings to 3–4 inches apart once they have their first true leaves — this step is essential for good root development
Crowded turnips put energy into competing for space rather than bulking up the root
Don't waste the thinnings — young turnip seedlings are edible and taste like mild mustard greens
Re-check spacing after 2–3 weeks and thin again if plants are still crowding each other

Watering and care

Keep soil consistently moist — about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week; inconsistent watering causes woody, cracked roots
Mulch lightly to retain moisture and keep soil temperature more even
Weed carefully around young plants; turnip roots are shallow and easily disturbed
Row covers early in the season help prevent flea beetle damage on young leaves

Harvesting: greens vs. roots

Harvest greens 35–40 days after sowing by cutting outer leaves, leaving the center to keep growing
Harvest roots at 50–60 days, once they reach 2–3 inches across — larger roots turn woody and bitter
Check root size by gently brushing soil away from the top of the root rather than pulling to check
Fall-grown turnips left in the ground after a light frost develop noticeably sweeter flavour

Common problems

Woody, bitter roots: usually harvested too large, or grown in hot summer weather — stick to spring/fall crops and harvest at 2–3 inches
Split or forked roots: caused by rocky, compacted soil or inconsistent watering
Flea beetles (small holes in leaves): use row covers on young plants, the most vulnerable stage
All leaves, no root: a sign of too little thinning or too much nitrogen fertilizer
Bolting (flowering early): triggered by hot weather or cold snaps early in growth — plant at the right time of year for your zone

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Frequently asked questions

This is almost always a thinning or fertilizer problem. Crowded seedlings compete for space instead of bulking up, and too much nitrogen fertilizer favours leafy growth over root development — thin to 3–4 inches apart and go easy on nitrogen.