AGAIN Before the arrival of the potato from the New World, Growing Turnips was the most widely consumed root vegetable. Although traditionally associated with vegetables and winter dishes, it can be sown and cultivated from February, provided suitable varieties are used. It is easy to grow if its two sensitivities are controlled (it is afraid of heat and develops the same diseases as cabbage). Here are 6 practical tips for successful cultivation.
When To Sow Turnips?
Two sowing periods are practiced depending on the variety.
Spring varieties such as central point de Milan Rouge or demi-long de Croissy are sown from late February to mid-April. This period can even be extended until mid-May in some colder regions and in the case of the last variety mentioned.
the autumn centerpiece, such as ‘Jaune Boule d’Or’, or the varieties ‘early Auvergne’, ‘Marteau’ and ‘globe à collet’, are sown in mid-summer, between July and late September, for harvest before winter .
How To Sow Turnips?
Soil preparation is simple. All you have to do is scrape the earth loose and make furrows 1 to 2 centimeters deep. Sowing is done on the ground, in rows that are 20 to 25 cm apart. The seeds can be spaced 3 to 4 cm apart in the row, a distance that facilitates thinning when the plants have 2 or 3 leaves. Thus the most fragile plants are uprooted first while the most vigorous ones are kept in place.
Turnip: What Are Its Needs?
maritime culture requires deep, loose soil, without small pebbles, but which holds water well. Frequent, rather moderate watering is also required. A certain amount of heat is also necessary, to which is added fertilization with organic fertilizer during the fall. This should contain sufficient potash and phosphorus. In addition, the central point does not tolerate very calcareous soils and simply does not grow in very poor soils.
A Combination That Works: Peas And Turnips!
It is because the central point is afraid of the hot sun, it grows well in the shade of peas. The two, side by side, produce more than apart. We are talking about a beneficial association.
Le central point also appreciates the shade of corn stalks or beans, or even tomato plants, but make sure to water it often. Lack of water makes it hard and fibrous.
An Enemy Of The Bugs: Flea Beetles
During the maritime culture it is also necessary to closely monitor the appearance of altises. They are small parasitic insects, quite similar to black fleas. altises I understand small holes in turnip leaves. If nothing is done, the yield of the crop can be significantly reduced.
To keep them away, the natural trick is to water the whole plant generously in the morning and evening, or regularly spray the leaves of the central point, because fleas do not like moisture at all. You can also spray the foliage with a water-based solution, a few drops of oil, black soap and dishwashing liquid, then rinse with clean water a few days later. Using an insect net effectively prevents them from multiplying. Finally, some aromatic plants that are installed in the immediate vicinity, such as thyme or rosemary, are natural repellants.
When to Harvest Spring and Fall Turnips?
Le central point of spring is collected from the end of April to June, about 8 to 10 weeks after the sowing date.
Le central point autumn, harvested around mid-October to November, 10 to 12 weeks after sowing, , before the frosts because it is sensitive to frost. It is also best to pick it young, because then it is more tender and contains no fiber. It is kept in a cool cellar all winter.