Many amateur gardeners see Spring as the normal time to plant. However, there are many winter plants which needed to be sown in August or September. Amongst these is the turnip which grows best in cold conditions and produces excellent yields of a plant which is completely edible. Indeed, it is often known as the survival plant.

Supplies

Turnip seeds from a seed supplier or your own pods

Tilled soil

Food grade cardboard

Manure and or seeweed

Dibber for setting seeds

Step 1: Acquiring Seeds

Take brown seeds from your own seed pods, from the previous season. During harvesting, usually March/ April, You should consider leaving some turnips to produce seed pods. These themselves are edible but I keep them as a seed supply.

Step 2: Prepare the Ground and Sow Seeds

Around April or May, remove weeds from the area and till. Next add fresh compost or seaweed, if you live near the sea, and cover ground in food grade cardboard. Leave until August then remove cardboard temporarily and plant seeds 6 inches apart using a dibber to a depth of 2 inches. Water well, replace the cardboard and leave for 4 days or so. After this period check that the seedlings have germinated and if so, remove the cardboard. The cardboard helps protect the seeds from birds which will dig up and eat the turnips seeds.

Step 3: Thinning Out the Seedlings

After 2 to 3 weeks after germination, the seedlings should reach a height of 5 to 6 inches. At that stage, thin out any plants which are clumped together. The ideal distance between turnips is 6 inches.