Turnips are easy to grow, and you can eat the greens as well as the roots. If grown in cool weather, they have a slightly sweet flavor. Turnips mature quickly (in less than 50 days from seeding). The greens are great steamed, and they walk hand in hand with collard greens as the favorite Southern leafy crop. Some varieties to try are ‘Purple Top White Globe’, ‘Shogoin’, and ‘Tokyo Cross’. The latter two produce excellent, mild-tasting greens.

Turnips love cool weather. In most areas, you can grow spring and fall crops. Start in spring a few weeks before your last frost date. In early fall, wait until the hot summer weather has passed before planting. Turnips are best direct seeded in the garden. Keep the plants well watered and mulched with hay or straw, which, in addition to holding in moisture and controlling weeds, helps prevent the roots from developing a strong flavor. Begin harvesting when the roots are 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) in diameter; then enjoy. Turnips can take a frost, so harvest right into winter until the ground freezes.