According to the University of Wisconsin , turnips , Brassica rapa , have been down by humans for 3,500 - 6,000 age . They were in all likelihood discovered near the Hindu Kush mountains , near present daylight Afghanistan . finally , they would be bred to give us advanced vegetables such as Brassica oleracea italica rabe , bok choy and mizuna !
So , why do turnips get such a speculative rap?The phrase “ turnip feeder ” was believe to be an contumely , meaning not very chic . A “ turnip pass ” meant a country yahoo , and “ just cut down off a turnip motortruck ” meant a country bumpkin in the metropolis . Turnips were considered to be intellectual nourishment for the pathetic and illiterate .
Well , not any more .
According to the United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) turnips , while high in pee , are a unspoiled rootage of calcium , atomic number 12 , phosphorus , and potassium . While most mass think of the ever - present imperial - topped Brassica rapa as a staple , albeit walker veggie , I ’m here to assure you there ’s a new Brassica rapa in townsfolk !
The Nipponese turnips have arrived .
As a long prison term gardener , I set some new varieties or species in my garden every class . Some experiment become standards in my garden , and others will never set roots in my garden again . While I ’ve never been a adult fan of the imperial - topped turnip , I decide to essay something young . The most successful experimentation this year was the Japanese turnip . I planted the variety Hakurei , and they were amazing . They produced smooth white , marvelously round globe . No peeling is necessary with these sweetheart . They are majuscule in salads , but I prefer them on their own . eat like an apple , they are mellisonant and snappy , with a spiciness that does n’t overwhelm . uncalled-for to say , my fall craw of Nipponese turnips is already in the garden !
Do n’t bury , turnip greensare delicious and lade with vitamin C. Your turnip will tolerate pick some of the leaves while they are still growing . Just be indisputable to leave a few leaf on each plant so they can still photosynthesize properly . When you ’re ready to pull up the roots , practice those healthy leaves also . You ’ll witness many recipes online for preparing putting green .
Turnips are an gentle craw to grow . The Hakurei variety takes only 38 days to maturate . ( There are many multifariousness of Nipponese turnip with similar grow instructions and try out expectations . ) They choose cool conditions , so you could enjoy a fountain and fall harvest . The optimum soil temperature for seeded player germination is between 45 ° - 77 ° . In the spring , plant as before long as the soil is workable . For Albemarle County , VA , this would be early to mid March . Check planting times for your surface area in Virginia by using Virginia Cooperative Extension’sVirginia ’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide .
Choose a gay location for plant Brassica rapa that has not been used for brassicas in the past 4 class . ( Brassicas include turnip , cabbage , brussels sprout , broccoli , cauliflower , colewort and collards and many others . This family of plants is often called the cole or table mustard sept . )
Nipponese turnip favor well - drained , loamy soil , rich in organic matter . Work the soil to loosen it and take any careen . Incorporate compost or aged manure into the soil to heighten rankness and drain . Your turnip will be smooth and nicely shaped if they can originate well in the soil . The pH should be between 5.5 and 7 .
think of , it ’s best to get asoil testfor your vegetable garden at least every 3 years . This can be accomplish by meet your local Master Gardener help desk or by inspect the Virginia Cooperative Extension office to obtain a mental test kit . You ’ll pull in the sample according to the guidance and mail it off to Virginia Tech . They will e-mail the issue directly to you .
Plant the seeds¼ ” deep , and 2”-3 ” apart in rows 18”-30 ” aside .
Keep your turnip well water , but not always stiff . Drought stress can make turnips bitter , hot or woody . to boot , if the soil is left too teetotal , a sudden rainwater or laborious watering may cause the turnips to cleave . preserve adequate water is essential . A good formula is 1 ” of water per week . cling your finger in the soil to be sure the water is penetrating .
Once they emerge , you ’ll want to thin them to 6 ” apart . I do n’t like to destroy plants , so I let them commence to grow , then harvest the diminished turnips between plants to revel while letting the residue grow larger . If you decide to do this , be sure the remain Brassica rapa have mint of territory around them , and piddle exhaustively .
Be sure to keep the weeds away from all your garden plants . Weeds compete with your desired plant for water , food and sometimes sunlight . Harvest ripe turnips when they are 2”-3 ” in diameter for best flavor , soreness and wet content .
Because turnips are establish so early in the spring , you should n’t have to care too much about insect feeding damage . However , turnips can fall victim to a few pestilence . you could read about these potential pest in this clause fromClemson University .
One method acting to battle insect is the use offloating dustup coversor a low tunnel to prevent insect damage . A floating row cover or low tunnel utilize a spun - bonded or woven textile that is localize over flora to leave off blighter , act as a shelterbelt , or extend the growing time of year by continue heating system — all while still being permeable to light , water and air . swim Row Cover / Wisconsin Horticultur Extension .
The journeying from a simple experiment to a yearly horticulture basic illustrates the rewarding nature of trying new things in the garden . Japanese white turnip have not only enriched the culinary experience at the table , but have also added a bed of enjoyment to the gardening process . Their success story serves as an inspiration to continually explore and sweep up new theory in gardening , prompt us that sometimes the most delicious discoveries fare from step into the unknown .
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Featured Photo : by Gena Breakiron
“ First we moderate turnips . Then we turned them into book choy and other veggies,”University of Wisconsin - Madison / News(2021 )
USDA Food Data Central / Turnips - crude
Va. Coop . Ext . Pub . 426 - 422 / Root Crops / Turnip & Rutabaga
Clemson University / Identification of Common Insect Pests of Brassica Crops
Clemson University Extension / Cabbage , Broccoli & Other Cole Crop Insect Pests
Virginia ’s Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide / VA Tech Ext Pub.426 - 331
University of Minnesota Extension/ Growing Turnips and Rutabagas in Home Gardens
VA Tech Soil Testing Lab
Wisconsin Ext / aimless Row Cover
Purdue University Extension Food Link / Turnip and Turnip Greens
