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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: agapanthus on January 23, 2006, 18:12:57

Title: which turnip??
Post by: agapanthus on January 23, 2006, 18:12:57

I've never grown turnips but thought I would this year.....just need ideas of varieties to go for...thanks :D

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: grawrc on January 23, 2006, 18:23:27

I grew them for the first time last year. I grew Snowball: they were delightful. I would grow them again, however in the interests of learning and experimentation  ;) I'm planting Golden Ball this year.
Peter (OH) commented last year: what are you planting turnips for? We nevere eat them.

We didn't but we do now! 8)

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: jennym on January 23, 2006, 18:50:30

Grew Purple Top Milan. very nice - but I eat them when small and eat them raw, instead of radish, as I find them better in terms of reliable texture and taste.
The other reason for growing them to start with was that someone told me they are good for getting rid of couch grass. Sowed loads (hundreds) over an area that had been partially cleared of couch when the plots were taken on 6 years ago. To my mind, it worked - certainly there isn't a couch grass problem in that area, maybe it was the cultivation, but it's worth a try.

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: plot51A on January 23, 2006, 19:05:24

I also grew them for the first time last year - Seeds of Italy "Colletto viola" which I think means purple top! They were very easy to grow, quick, and didn't go woody.
Also I just thought they looked beautiful  :)

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: katynewbie on January 23, 2006, 19:24:40

:P

Have hated turnips since I was a nipper!!

This year will be sowing snowball to try and convince myself that they are as lovely as everyone says!!

There is one rule in this house: You Grow it, You Eat It!!!!!!!!

 ;D

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: Roy Bham UK on January 23, 2006, 20:08:51

I've never ate turnips but after reading this I might just give them a go, when do you sow the seed? :)

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: grawrc on January 23, 2006, 20:24:14

Um MArch to July for harvesting July to October. I just did them all in April and ate lots when they were ready.
I believe the trick is to eat them when they're golf ball to tennis ball size. The smaller size you can eat raw. The bigger they get the more they need cooked.

You can also eat turnip tops like salad although I haven't done it yet myself. Can't remember where I read about it. The Italians do it routinely.

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: plot51A on January 23, 2006, 22:54:31

This might be of interest

http://www.seedsofitaly.sagenet.co.uk/turnips.htm

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: powerspade on January 23, 2006, 23:44:46

I grow snowball and purple top Milan smashing flavour slightly peppery fast to mature so sow in succession

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: Sprout on January 24, 2006, 10:14:49

I grew Atlantic last year as a Turnip Virgin and had great results. Can't stand them myself but OH will eat them.

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: KT on January 24, 2006, 11:28:41

I'd recommend Tokyo cross and snowball :).
Both are very tasty cooked as well as raw&thinly sliced in salads.Try the slices with smoked salmon...mmmm delicious!

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: Doris_Pinks on January 24, 2006, 12:21:35

I grew snowball and Purple Top Milan, picked them both golf ball size, lovely!
My Golden Ball however never appeared! :'( (or did when I turned my back and then got slugged!)

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: bupster on January 24, 2006, 13:15:51

The title of this thread sounds like a magazine read by Baldrick

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: Doris_Pinks on January 24, 2006, 16:29:51

Ahem, I take back what I said, found some Golden Ball that I had sown late today!

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: agapanthus on January 24, 2006, 17:52:00

Thanks for the recommendations.....might get a few different
packets of the varieties suggested and mix them altogether ;D

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: grawrc on January 24, 2006, 17:54:44

Well thanks DP! Clearly I have chosen well : Golden Ball = slugfest? ;)

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: angle shades on January 24, 2006, 20:52:43

Snowball here too,

                                 AS.x

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: Roy Bham UK on January 25, 2006, 08:33:51

I have just purchased Snowball (after reading this thread) and I know I'm a bit fick so could someone explain what these sowing instructions mean please...

Outdoor sowing.
Sow thinly in prepared seed bed in rows 16in apart.

Growing on
When large enough thin to 6in apart.

Do you think they have got it back to front? ??? ;D

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: Doris_Pinks on January 25, 2006, 09:01:20

Roy I sow mine individually at 3 inches apart, cos I hate thinning and I like to pick em small! ;D
16 inch gap between the rows of seeds seems rather large, but I guess if you want monster turnips thats ok! :o
Not Fick at all, I sometimes read the back of seed packets and wonder who on earth wrote the instructions...a non gardener? I think they should go along the lines of, make a line in the soil, bung in seeds and cover! ;D ;D

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: jennym on January 25, 2006, 10:28:36

Did the opposite to Doris - just sort of sprinkled them over an area, and raked the soil over. But I didn't want monster ones either.

Title: Re: which turnip??
Post by: flowerlady on January 25, 2006, 10:53:55

Shall definitly try growing turnips this year having read all this.

Love the idea that they 'nail' couch grass!   :)