How to Grow Turnips in Containers
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Turnips are the speed demons of root vegetables - some varieties go from seed to harvest in just 35 days. Modern baby turnips like 'Hakurei' are sweet enough to eat raw, transforming turnips' old-fashioned reputation. These cool-season crops provide both crisp roots and nutritious greens, making them doubly valuable in container gardens.
Best Turnip Varieties
Hakurei (35 days)
The revolution in turnips - sweet, mild, eat raw like an apple. Pure white, smooth skin. Tender greens. Best for: raw eating, salads, fastest harvest.
Purple Top White Globe (55 days)
Classic American turnip - white with purple shoulders. Larger roots, more traditional flavor. Best for: cooking, mashing, traditional recipes.
Scarlet Queen (45 days)
Beautiful red exterior, white interior. Mild, sweet flavor. Stunning in salads. Best for: visual appeal, raw eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do turnips grow?
Turnips are among the fastest vegetables! Baby turnips like 'Hakurei' can be harvested in just 30-35 days. Standard varieties take 45-60 days. This fast growth makes turnips perfect for succession planting and filling gaps between slower crops.
How deep do containers need to be?
Baby turnips need just 6-8 inches depth. Standard turnips need 10-12 inches. Width matters more than extreme depth - turnips grow wider than long. Use wide containers for more turnips per pot.
Are turnip greens edible?
Yes! Turnip greens are highly nutritious and delicious - traditional southern cooking features them prominently. Young greens are tender for salads; mature greens are excellent sauteed. Like beets, you get two crops from one planting.
Why are my turnips woody and bitter?
Turnips become woody and bitter from: heat stress (grow in cool weather only), water stress, or overmature harvest. Pull turnips young - most varieties are best at 2-3 inches diameter. Fall turnips are often sweeter than spring ones.
Can turnips handle frost?
Yes! Light frost actually sweetens turnips by converting starches to sugars. Turnips are excellent for fall containers, improving in flavor as weather cools. Protect from hard freezes with row cover.
What's the best turnip for containers?
'Hakurei' (Tokyo) turnips are ideal - fast (35 days), sweet enough to eat raw, tender greens, compact size. 'White Lady', 'Scarlet Queen', and 'Purple Top White Globe' also work well.
Why do my turnips have no roots?
All leaves, no roots usually indicates: too much nitrogen fertilizer, not enough sun, overcrowding, or wrong season (too hot). Turnips need cool weather, moderate fertility, full sun, and proper thinning.
Can I regrow turnips from scraps?
You can regrow turnip greens! Place cut top in shallow water until roots form, then plant. It won't regrow a full root but produces greens. A fun way to extend your harvest and reduce waste.
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