turnips

[thifasmom]

so i thought turnips were a winter crop and was growing them for the winter, but had a peek earlier this week and well some are bigger then golf balls already. i planted them in groups of three/ two, so when is the normal time for harvesting turnips? if i left these i assume they'll become woody.

i have never grown these before so i was going by info i gathered in my vege growing book as the seeds had no instructions as they were from one of the winter swaps.

if i harvest these and resow in the same area do you think i will be affected by disease build up in the soil or do you all think i would get away with a second crop in the same area this year as the crops are in the ground for such a short time. they were transplanted into the ground a week before Easter and quite a few seem ready to be harvested in a week or less time, so i assume they would all be out of the ground by end of June.

If i sow some now in modules like i did before for planting out early July late June would they be ready for winter like i originally planned?

[thifasmom]

[thifasmom]

just ran out to take some photos, these are of the two biggest the rest aren't far behind though.

[thifasmom]

hmmm! is this one too hard, is it possible, have i stumped the mighty collective that is A4A ;)

any ideas anyone, pleaaase, all welcome :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

You'll probably be fine as long as you haven't been growing brassicas there in the interim!

[Suzanne]

Absolutely fab results. Wish I had the same.

I'd harvest what you have now as baby veg and resow. I doubt very much that pests would have built up in the time between original sow and harvest. Generally why we do crop rotation is to prevent months, if not years, of pest build up, and I am sure that your next years crops in this area isn't going to be brassica's.

[saddad]

Turnips like Radish cover a huge spectrum... some a re small and fast growing, meant for eating whole, others are giants like Swede...
The fast growing ones can be replanted three or four times a year in the same spot if you are then rotating and not growing brassicas there for a couple of years...  :)

[thifasmom]

thanks for the advice guys, you've put my mind at rest. I'll harvest these over the next few weeks and re sow some to plant out into the same space when its vacated.

i don't plan on growing brassicus in this space next year so that's sorted, tah again.

now I'm off to get recipes as i have never cooked or eaten these before.

[Duke Ellington]

Last year I grew summer cabbages and then went on to grow some spring cabbages in the same spot once the summer ones were harvested. Everything was fine! This year all my brassicas are in their new location.

Duke

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

I have done some for the first time this year.

My understanding is they are a brassica and take 12 weeks or so to maturity and you can eat them pretty much regardless of size.

they look great by the way!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Last year I grew summer cabbages and then went on to grow some spring cabbages in the same spot once the summer ones were harvested. Everything was fine! This year all my brassicas are in their new location.

Duke

I've done things like that as well. OK, you can usually get away with it, but I wouldn't recommend it!

[1066]

now I'm off to get recipes as i have never cooked or eaten these before.

Let me know if you find any good ways of cooking them, I've always found them bland / un interesting but lots of people on our site grown them so they are obviously a successful crop round here.

1066

[thifasmom]

i'll be sure to pass any good ones on 1066

[Twoflower]

Nice in salads, or let them get alittle bigger and roast them with new potatoes. :)

[thifasmom]

thanks for those ideas Twoflower, the recipes i find all seem to want to mash or puree them into oblivion :P

[1066]

Just been doing a search and found this

"Asian Turnip (Tokyo turnip, Kabura)
We're not talking about the tough, woody roots that many Westerners deem fit only for pig fodder. No, Asian turnips are tender, sweet, crunchy delights. They are more like a mild radish and can be eaten raw-plain, or with a vegetable dip, or in a salad. They are also excellent pickled, roasted, sautéed, or boiled in soups. " from this site - http://www.asiafood.org/asianroots.cfm#turnip

And these seeds - http://www.evergreenseeds.com/turnip.html

Has anyone tried growing these - they sound a bit more appealing ?!

1066

[thifasmom]

Just been doing a search and found this

"Asian Turnip (Tokyo turnip, Kabura)
We're not talking about the tough, woody roots that many Westerners deem fit only for pig fodder. No, Asian turnips are tender, sweet, crunchy delights. They are more like a mild radish and can be eaten raw-plain, or with a vegetable dip, or in a salad. They are also excellent pickled, roasted, sautéed, or boiled in soups. " from this site - http://www.asiafood.org/asianroots.cfm#turnip

And these seeds - http://www.evergreenseeds.com/turnip.html

Has anyone tried growing these - they sound a bit more appealing ?!

1066

no haven't but then i never dealt in the world of turnips before, maybe I'll give them a try next year.

on another note why does the brassicus family have to be so large, this year i already have 2 1/2 beds dedicated to them, next year it will probably be 3 to 3 1/2 beds ::).

[Twoflower]

You just have to be careful some aren't mild :-X There is a bloke on my allotmet that grows them. He gave me one to try last year.........it nearly blow my head off, and i like spicey things :)

[saddad]

Are you sure that wasn't a winter radish? Lot less hot when cooked...  :)

[daxzen]

turnip tops and greens are great in salads when they are young and as cooked veg later in the year

[1066]

"no haven't but then i never dealt in the world of turnips before"

Ah there was I being all innocent as I hadn't even realised there was dealing to be done in turnips  ;D   ::)

BTW - it was your great photos that have nearly inspired me to try them as well  8)