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When to plant
turnips in the UK
Harvest when golf-ball sized for the sweetest flavour. Leave them too long and they go woody. Quick-growing gap filler.
What turnips need
Sun or partial shade. Moist soil. Not demanding.
Varieties to try
Fast-growing, sweet when small
White, mild, golf-ball sized
Heritage yellow, good keeper
Where to buy turnips seeds
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The quickest crop you can grow — seed to plate in 4 weeks. Sow between slower cr
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Fold outer leaves over the curd to keep it white. Cauliflower leaves are delicio
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Sow early spring or after midsummer — it'll bolt faster than you can blink in th
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Start very early — January isn't too soon. Limit to 5-6 fruits per plant if you
Pinch out flower buds to keep leaves coming. Harvest from the top to encourage b