How to Grow Turnip in Australia
A cool-season root crop for the home garden
Growing Turnip rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$2-4/week, two crops in one (root and greens), fast and reliable.
This guide covers when to plant Turnip in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Turnip is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July and August. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Purple Top White Globe
Classic heirloom with purple and white skin. Mild, sweet when young. The standard backyard variety.
Try: Yates, Mr Fothergill's, Bunnings
Tokyo Cross F1
Small pure white globe. Very fast, mild and sweet. Excellent for baby turnips.
Try: Mr Fothergill's, Green Harvest
Hakurei
Japanese salad turnip. Sweet enough to eat raw. Smooth white skin, fast-maturing.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Position and Soil
Give Turnip full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 25cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 15 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 5 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 25 degrees.
Cool-season crop for SEQ (March-August). Both the root and the greens are edible, the tops are delicious sauteed with garlic. Harvest young (golf-ball sized) for sweetest flavour. Fast-growing and easy. Direct sow, does not like transplanting.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Flea beetle, Cabbage moth and Aphids. The main diseases to watch are Clubroot, Downy mildew and White spot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Turnip is typically ready to harvest in roughly 8 weeks. Fridge without tops, up to 2 weeks. Greens use within 3 days.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, turnip is good roasted with honey and thyme, mashed as a low-carb alternative to potato, greens sauteed with garlic and chilli and pickled or added raw to salads when young. Nutritionally: good source of vitamin C and fibre and contains glucosinolates with cancer-fighting properties.
Companion Planting
Turnip grows well alongside Peas, Lettuce, Onion and Nasturtium. Keep it away from Potato and Mustard. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Turnip Growing
Add turnip to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Turnip in Australia?
Turnip is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July and August. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Turnip take to grow?
Turnip is generally ready to harvest in roughly 8 weeks.
Can I grow Turnip in a pot?
Yes. Turnip grows well in a container of 25cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Turnip need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Turnip in the Plant Library
