Turnip Seed Germination, Time, Temperature, Procedure

Introduction to Turnip seed germination procedure

Growing Turnips indoors can be a fun hobby, it can save you money, and you won’t have to worry about soil-borne diseases and poor soil conditions. Turnip (Brassica rapa, variety rapa) is also known as white Turnip, a hardy biennial plant in the mustard family growing for its fleshy roots and tender growing tops. Grow Turnips in a sunny position that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight and you can also grow them in partial sunlight as well but this will reduce productivity. In this article we also discussed below topics;

How do you germinate Turnip seeds
Turnip seed germination temperature
How do you germinate Turnip seeds
How long does Turnip seed take to germinate
Process for germinating Turnip seeds
Turnip seeds germination period
Paper towel germination method for growing Turnip

A step by step guide to Turnip seed germination

A guide to Turnip Seed Germination Procedure.

Best soil type for growing Turnips

Use rich, well-drained soil for growing Turnips. To ensure the root growth is unobstructed, use a good quality potting mix, or make your own that is more loamy than clayey and have no stones. You can add compost or well-rotted manure while planting Turnips. You can add organic materials like peat moss, compost, aged manure, or coconut coir. Using perlite or vermiculite is also an option. Turnips grow best in mildly acidic soils, with an ideal pH level between 6.0 and 6.5. If necessary, you can raise the pH of soil by incorporating lime into the soil.

Turnip seed germination time and temperature

Turnip plant is a cool-season crop that grows best in short days. A minimum temperature of 5°C and a maximum of 32°C work best for them. For optimum Turnip seed germination temperature, keep them around 13-30°C. Below or above this range, seeds germinate slowly. Turnip seeds will germinate in 3 to 10 days.

The spacing of Turnip plants/seed spacing of Turnips

Thining should be done when the young Turnips grow a few inches tall while maintaining the space of 4-5 inches. For growing, leafy greens, space them up to 2 to 3 inches. Turnips do not transplant well and sow seed directly in the garden ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart in wide rows, thin successful seedlings from 4 to 6 inches apart. Space wide rows about 12 to 24 inches apart and thin Turnips grown for greens from 2 to 3 inches apart.

Sowing the Turnip seeds

Sow Turnip seeds in early spring 4 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost for a summer harvest. Sow 6 to 8 weeks before the first expected frost in autumn for an autumn and winter harvest. Sow seeds ½ inches (13 mm) deep. Seeds will germinate in 3 to 10 days in an optimum soil temperature of 16°C. Space plants 2 to 6 inches apart for roots; 1 to 4 inches apart for greens.

In case if you miss this: Radish Seed Germination, Time, Temperature, Procedure.

For summer crops, start seeds early in spring, and for fall crops, start the seeds in midsummer, about 2 months before the first expected frost. Turnip seeds can germinate at a temperature as low as 4°C. Sow the seeds about 1 inch apart and cover them with about 1/4- to 1/2-inch layer of soil. Space the rows at least 1 foot apart. Water the soil regularly to keep it moist throughout the seed germination period. When the seedlings are 4 inches tall, thin them so that the plants are spaced about 2 to 4 inches apart.

Method of sowing for Turnips

The seeds can be directly planted outside, and need to be spaced 20 cm apart from each other. Usually, Turnips are planted in rows which are spaced about 30 cm from each other. Usually, no fertilizer is required for this plant. The Turnip seeds are sown directly in the main field. When the plants are 10 to 15 days old, thinning is done to keep them at 10-15 cm in rows. Sowing is done in ridges by opening shallow furrows. In normal cases, seeds germinate after 4 to 6 days of sowing.

Turnip planting tips for dummies

Start Turnips from seed sown directly in the home garden.
The seed is viable for 4 years and starts seeds in the garden 5 to 4 weeks before you expect the last frost. Turnips can be started indoors, but they like most root crops are difficult to transplant to the home garden with success.
If started indoors and transplanted, allow 2 additional weeks to maturity as a result of root insult at transplanting; nip off the long thread tip of the beetroot when transplanting.
Sow seed about ½ inch deep and be sure to heel or stamp the soil firmly in; Turnips fail to germinate when there is insufficient contact with the soil.
Sow seed about 2 inches apart and later thin to 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) apart for large storage Turnips, and 2 to 4 inches apart for greens.
Space rows 12 inches apart and to improve germination sow seed at dusk or on a cool, cloudy day.
Sow Turnip seed in loose, fertile soil. The seeds must germinate in 3 to 10 days at an optimal temperature range of 21°C or thereabouts; germination will take longer in colder soil.
Optimum soil temperature to grow Turnips is about 16°C.

The seed rate and seed treatment of Turnips

For sowing of a one-acre land seed rate of 2 to 3 kg is sufficient. Before sowing treats seed with Thiram about 3gm per kg of Turnip seeds to protect the crop from crown rot.

Planting procedure of Turnip seeds

Plant Turnip seeds about 1/2-inch deep in soil-filled containers. Place containers outside in a sunny spot or near a sunny window when growing Turnips indoors. Keep soil moist but not wet and the Turnip seeds will sprout within 10 to 14 days. Thin seedlings once they reach about 3 to 4 inches high. Turnips must be thinned to one plant for every 8 inches of space.

Most plants will be ready for harvest within 35 to 60 days after planting. When planting in containers, it easier to keep the correct temperature, so you can plant more flexibly. It is important that Turnips get plenty of sunlight, so planting in the spring or late summer is the best time.

Sow seeds about ½-inch from the top. Plant 2 to 3 turnip seeds in the middle of the container about 1 inch apart. After 2 weeks, they must be about 3 inches high. Pull out the smaller seedlings, allowing just one to grow to maturity.

Sow Turnip seed onto fertile, well-drained soil. Turnip seeds sprout best, within a week or two, between 15 and 21°C, they take longer to sprout. Keep soil moist and the Turnip plants will grow quickly, being ready for harvest between 40 and 60 days after planting a seed.

The process of Turnip seed germination

First, get the Turnip seeds from the local garden store or online. Sow them 1/2 inch deep soil, 2 to 3 inches apart, directly in the desired container. Once the seedlings appear and grow a bit, thin out the weak ones to keep the required spacing.
Choose a 2-gallon container to grow the Turnips. Use a container with drainage holes, or use a knife to make holes along the side of the container about 1/2 inch from the bottom.
Line the bottom of the container with about a 1-inch layer of coarse gravel. The gravel helps to improve drainage and also keeps the potting mix from clogging the holes.
Then, fill the container with a well-drained, sterilized potting mix. Plant the Turnip seeds in the container and sow the Turnip seeds 1/2-inch deep and at least 4 inches apart so there’s sufficient space for them to grow. Avoid overcrowding the container, because this interferes with the development of the plant roots.
Water the Turnip plants with cool water once a day. Avoid using warm water, because this can slow down the root development. The aim to keep the potting mix moist not wet.
Then, place the container on a sunny windowsill. If the drainage holes are at the bottom of the container and elevate the container from the windowsill surface with wooden blocks. Put a tray below the container to catch the water and to prevent damage to your windowsill. As an alternative, best to use commercially elevated or hanging containers.
Fertilize the Turnip plants with a water-soluble fertilizer. Wait for the Turnip seeds to germinate. When the Turnip plants are at least 4 inches tall, use the fertilizer according to the packaging instructions.
As the seedlings grow, remove any emerging weeds that might compete with plants for water and nutrients. Shallowly cultivate the soil around the seedlings, and as they mature, manually remove weeds to avoid damaging the plant roots. When the seedlings are 5 inches tall, spread a 2-inch thick layer of organic mulch on the soil around the Turnip plants to combat weeds. This slows soil-moisture evaporation. To prevent early pests from becoming a problem, then cover the Turnips with floating row covers.

Turnip plant care

This is a delicious and nutritious vegetable, so its pests and insects tend to bother. Slugs and snails, aphids, cutworms, beetles, and root maggots, etc. are the main causes of the problem. Since this plant grows very rapidly and is harvested early. So, there is no major problem of infection in the home garden. As long as you notice a problem, the plant gets mature till then. Mildew and a white blister can affect the plant. However, it is infrequent.

Harvest Turnip leaves

Harvest Turnip leaves when they reach about 4 to 6 inches tall. Use sharp garden or kitchen scissors and cut the leaf near the base of the Turnip plant. To keep plants productive throughout the season, trim off no more than one-third of the leaves from a single Turnip plant. Bulbs can be harvested anytime they reach 1 to 2 inches in diameter. To harvest Turnip, wet soil thoroughly grasps plant at the base, then rock gently back and forth until Turnip lifts up out of the soil.

Paper towel germination method for growing Turnips

First, use a permanent marker to write the type of seed you are germinating on each plastic zipper bag. This is helpful if you are germinating a lot of different types of seeds. Then, open each plastic zipper bag and flex the opening a few times to loosen it. This will make it easier to slide the paper towels containing the Turnip seeds into them. Dampen a paper towel with clean water.
Spread the damp paper towel out on a clean and flat surface. Place your Turnip seeds on one half of the paper towel, leaving some space between them. Don’t overcrowd the towel.
Fold the empty half of the paper towel over the Turnip seeds, being careful not to squash them. Place the folded paper towel into the properly labeled plastic zipper bag, and seal the bag. Repeat with your remaining seeds.
Place the zipper bags of Turnip seeds in a warm place away from direct sunlight. The top of the refrigerator is a safe place for the seeds to rest undisturbed, but any area that is out of direct sunlight and maintains a temperature between 70 and 80F will do.
Check on the Turnip seeds every other day. Open the zipper bag to allow fresh air to enter, and check to see if your Turnip seeds have sprouted. Then, times will vary according to the type of seed you are germinating. For example, cucumber, lettuce, and Turnip seeds will sprout in about three days; onions and peas take 6 days; asparagus can take as long as 10 days.
Once your Turnip seeds have sprouted, plant them in pots or outdoors, discarding any seeds that did not germinate.

Commonly asked questions about Turnip seed germination

What causes brown spots in Turnips?

Brown spots in Turnip roots are generally due to boron deficiency. To prevent this add one pound of boron per acre.

Can you transplant Turnips?

Turnip seeds are sown straight into the garden, as transplanting seedlings can effect in interrupting root development or damage. Though, careful handling of seedlings, with minimal root disturbance, can make transplants successful.

How often should you water Turnips?

Turnips do not require much care, but consistent soil moisture is important. Keep the soil lightly moist, watering at a rate of about 1 inch per week to prevent the roots from becoming tough and bitter.

What soil do Turnips grow best in?

Turnip plants grow best in well-structured sandy loam. Loam is soil that contains an equal amount of sand, silt, and clay. Sandy loam has slightly more sand than silt and clay soil.

Can you grow Turnips from Turnip tops?

A Turnip crop is fairly easy to grow and needs loose, fertile soil rich in compost. Stored Turnips often try to grow new plant leaves and roots over time, and these become bitter with a woody texture. Then, sprouting Turnips are not good to eat, but you can plant them in the garden to grow a crop of Turnip greens.

How many Turnips does a plant produce?

Turnips are grown as a root vegetable or for their green leaves, plant 5 to 10 Turnip plants per household member.

Do Turnips grow back every year?

Yes, Turnips are easy to grow; no they don’t come back every year. It can take a few seasons for the deer to realize that they like the Turnips.

How much time can you leave Turnips in the ground?

Turnips may be dipped in warm wax to coat them entirely. This helps prevent moisture loss if they are put in cold storage for several months, usually lasting between 2 and 4 months. If stored in late fall, they usually last the winter.

The conclusion of the Turnip seed germination process

For a better percentage of seed germination, get quality seeds from the certified seed sources. You may also like the Soybean Seed Germination, Time, Temperature, Process.