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Turnip, or shalgam is a treasured root vegetable which is known for its bulbous roots and leafy greens. Being a versatile vegetable, it is always an impeccable addition to your plate. Be it a crunchy salad bowl, Indian curries or sabzi, being rich in vitamins and minerals, growing turnips in your backyard can add to the benefits.
Since turnips are one of the most suitable vegetables to grow quickly in the Indian climate, they would be a great addition to your home garden. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, planting turnips can be a good start to start a vegetable garden in your backyard, terrace, or even indoors. For healthy produce, here are some tips you must keep handy.
Variety Of Turnip
The best time to plant turnips is the early winter months, from October to February. The ideal temperature for a healthy growth of turnips lies between 10°C and 25°C. So, if you’re planning to plant turnips, this is the best time to shortlist the most suitable variety.
- Purple Top White Globe: It is one of the most popularly used varieties of turnip, which is known for its crispy profile.
- Golden Ball: This is a yellow-fleshed turnip, which has a sweeter taste than the traditional variety of the vegetable.
- Tokyo Cross: Tokyo Cross is a quick-maturing hybrid, which is ideal to plant if you have limited space.
Soil Conditions
Turnips thrive in well-drained soil which is rich in organic matter. Before planting, ensure that you loosen the soil at least 12-15 inches deep into the ground since turnip is an underground vegetable. Next, add manure and organic fertilisers to ensure healthy growth. Also, monitor the pH levels and adjust it between 6.0 to 7.5.
Sowing Techniques
For good germination, it is recommended that you sow the turnip seeds at least half an inch deep into the ground while maintaining a gap of 2 inches between each seed. Such an adequate spacing will ensure that the roots of the plant have ample space to grow.
Watering And Fertilising
Just like most fruits and vegetables, turnips too require continuous and consistent watering for a healthy harvest. To ensure that you’re neither overwatering nor underwatering the plant, check if the soil is moist and not waterlogged. Coming to fertilisation, turnips are moderate feeders and would not require a large amount of fertilisers. All you need to do is ensure that you are adding a fertiliser rich in nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous (NPK).
Pest Control And Harvest
Protecting kitchen vegetables without the addition of strong insecticides and pesticides involves a series of natural methods. To minimise the risk, you need to be careful while watering, and keep an eye on any discolouration or abnormal growth before the fungal growth or disease spreads to the plant. In about 50-70 days of sowing, when you see the outer leaves reaching 4-6 inches above the ground, you can harvest the plant. It is recommended that you harvest turnips before it starts to frost, which can damage the roots of the vegetable.
