How far apart should I plant Turnip?

About 12 cm (5 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).

Does Turnip need full sun?

Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Turnip need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Turnip?

It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.

When does Turnip flower?

About 47–60 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.

Is Turnip poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; raw brassicas can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.

What grows well with Turnip?

Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Turnip Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

Turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) is a biennial vegetable in the Brassicaceae family, native to Temperate Europe and Central Asia (cultivated since antiquity). It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 12 cm (5 in) apart.

Plan Turnip in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Turnip at a glance

Type	Biennial vegetable
Family	Brassicaceae
Mature height	30–50 cm (12–20 in)
Mature spread	20–30 cm (8–12 in)
Spacing	12 cm (5 in) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	5.5–7
Cold hardiness	About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8)
Heat stress	Likely above about 25 °C (77 °F)
Flowering	about 47–60 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks
Days to maturity	About 55 days from planting
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Yes: roots, leaves (turnip greens)
Native to	Temperate Europe and Central Asia (cultivated since antiquity)
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇫🇷 France, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇺🇸 United States

Is Turnip toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Not toxic; raw brassicas can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Turnip

Good neighbours

good With Rhubarb: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Evidence D
good With Nasturtium: Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas. Evidence C

Shared pests and diseases

Clubroot: Clubroot spores persist in soil up to 20 years; keep brassicas in a rotation. Evidence B

Questions about Turnip

How far apart should I plant Turnip?: About 12 cm (5 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
Does Turnip need full sun?: Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Turnip need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Turnip?: It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As a biennial it is usually planted out after the last frost and flowers in its second year.
When does Turnip flower?: About 47–60 weeks after planting, for 3–5 weeks.
Is Turnip poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not toxic; raw brassicas can cause gas in pets if eaten in quantity.
What grows well with Turnip?: Traditional lore says rhubarb planted near brassicas helps against clubroot and pests; the evidence is weak and not confirmed by trials. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for cabbage white butterflies and blackfly, drawing some pressure away from brassicas.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions

Notes and assumptions

Grown as a spring or autumn crop and harvested in its first year; flowers only after winter.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Broccoli Brassica oleracea var. italica
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata
Kale Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Radish Raphanus sativus
Bok choy Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis
Brussels sprout Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera
Kohlrabi Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes