Turnips are a root vegetable in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and originated ffrom Asia several thousand years ago. The genus name Brassica is Latin for cabbage. They grow 1-1.5 feet tall in full sun in amended well-drained moist garden soil. In North Carolina plant seeds or transplants in mid-summer for a fall crop. Get a soil test prior to planting and fertilize according to the results. The bulb itself comes in various colors from yellow to white with or without red or purple at the top. They can also be round or flattish. They are best harvested when about 2 inches in diameter and taste best after a frost. Young leaves are great in a salad or older leaves can be sautéed. Insufficient water, lack of fertilizer or delayed harvesting can cause the plant to become woody. If left in the ground they will bloom in early spring. Use the plant in an edible and fall garden. Click here to see a calendar of planting schedules, time-to-harvest, and recommended spacing. Problems, Pests and Diseases: Insects that can be found include aphids, whiteflies, flea beetles, and caterpillars such as cabbage loopers, cutworms, and beet armyworms. Slugs and snails may also be a problem. Diseases include club root, white rust, leaf spot, and rots such as damping off and bacterial soft rot. See pests of conifers to the left.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheBrassica junceaBrassica rapa Chinensis GroupRaphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual; Cool Season Vegetable; Edible; Vegetable
Life cycle
Annual; Biennial
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate; Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Serrate; Undulate
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are generally light green and slightly hairy. They are an elongated oval, with toothed or wavy edges.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower shape
Cross
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small yellow 4-petaled flowers
Fruit type
Siliqua
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruits are in the form of a siliqua with a long tapering beak. They appear on ascending pedicels. Contain blackish or red-brown seeds.
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage; Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage; Caterpillars Found on Flowers and Foliage; Cabbage Looper on Ornamentals; Insect and Related Pests of Vegetables; Pests of Crucifers
Disease problems
Damping-off in Flower and Vegetable Seedlings; Clubroot of Brassicas; Black Rot of Brassicas; Weed Management in Collards, Kale, Mustard, and Turnip Greens
Other problems
Growing Food
Problems
Frequent Disease Problems; Frequent Insect Problems; Problem for Horses