Turnip is a highly nutritious forage crop that has a short growing season and can provide late fall grazing after other forage crops are finished for the year. Seed prices range from $1.50/lb for garden-variety turnips to about $8/lb for some new hybrid varieties.
Full Answer
How much does it cost to grow turnips?
Turnips are cheap to plant. Seed can cost less than five dollars per acre now is the time to plant turnips for fall grazing. Seedbed preparation and planting can be done several ways. Some turnip growers work soil like a fully prepared alfalfa seedbed. Others heavily disk their ground, but leave it fairly rough.
How many purple top turnip seeds are in a pound?
Great Basin Seed’s Purple Top Turnips are sold in bulk pounds with approximately 220,000 seeds per pound! When you are ready to plant use 2-5 pounds per acre when planting pure turnip seeds.
How much turnip seed do I need per acre?
Plant only 1 to 3 pounds of turnip seed per acre. Turnip seed is very small, so barely cover it. If you drill your seed, just scratch the surface with your openers. Broadcasting works well for many growers, especially onto rough seedbeds where rainfall washes soil onto the seeds for soil coverage.
How do you grow a turnip plant?
Turnips do best with a soil pH over 6.0. Lime and fertilize as needed. Spray. Wait. Then, work the soil with a disk. No “throw and grow” here. If broadcasting, plant at a 10- to 12-pound-per-acre seeding rate. If drilling, plant approximately 7 to 9 pounds per acre instead. Put seeds at a depth of about ¼-inch.
How many turnip seeds are in a pound?
220,000Turnips can be grazed during the normal growing season as well as late fall. Crude protein up to 24% can be produced in the leaves, and 15% in the roots....PLANTING INFORMATIONPlanting Rate:April-August (April-June; Mid July-August)Approximate Seeds per Pound:220,000Planting Rate in Pure Stand:2-5 pounds per acre4 more rows
How much will a pound of turnip seed plant?
Quick Plant FactsCommon Name:Purple Top TurnipsSeeds per lb.220,000Growth Height:6-12 inchesRoot Form:TuberPlanting Rate:5-8 lb./acre10 more rows
How do you get turnip seeds?
Once seed pods have turned brown and dry, they are ready for harvest. Leave on the plant until seed pods are completely brown. Note that seed pods should be removed immediately after they dry because they often release seeds just days after they have dried. Cut pods off at the stems.
How much is a turnip per acre?
Plant only 2 to 3 pounds of turnip seed per acre. The seed is very small, so barely cover it. Simply broadcasting seed onto tilled soils works well for many growers, especially on rough seedbeds where rainfall or irrigation washes soil onto the seeds for soil coverage.
How high do turnips sell for?
The best price you will ever get for turnips is 650 Bells in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, so keep your eyes peeled for numbers that get close to that mouthwatering figure. The worst turnip price you're ever likely to see is 15 bells, which is nothing short of insulting in all honesty.
Are turnips always profitable?
There are no guarantees if you're extremely unlucky, but Turnip prices usually hit at least 100 Bells at some point in the week, meaning if you get Turnips for less than that a profit is likely so long as you pay attention and check the price regularly.
What month do you plant turnips?
Soil, Planting, and Care Turnip greens are easy to grow in any well-drained soil. Set out turnip green plants 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring and from late August to October for a fall crop in most areas. In zones 9 and 10 they can be planted throughout fall and winter.
How long do turnips take to grow?
six to ten weeksTurnips are quick and easy to grow from seed, ready to harvest in as little as six to ten weeks. They like cool, moisture-retentive soil, in an open, sunny location.
Is turnips easy to grow?
Growing and maintaining turnips is pretty easy. They are fast growing, reliable, and relatively low maintenance. It is not necessary to fertilize plants once they are in the ground since they grow so quickly. As long as the soil is rich in organic material when you sow the seeds, they should be happy.
Is 200 a good turnip price?
Generally, anything above 200 bells per turnip is a decent price, but in a good week you can see prices in the 300s and 400s and in rare cases even up to the 600s. Conversely, in a bad week you might have to sell your turnips for only slightly more than you paid for them or even at a loss.
Do turnips come back every year?
Now Answered. Dill, radishes, arugula, cilantro, broccoli raab, turnips, and any form of mustard will yield mature seeds in time for fall reseeding in most regions if allowed to flower and set seed.
Why do deer like turnips?
Turnips are a cool-season annual that are extremely high in protein and highly digestible to deer. Protein content can range from 15 to 20 percent in both the leaves and the roots. A well-managed food plot of turnips can yield more than 8 tons of forage per acre.
How much does a pound of seeds cover?
Most seed bags will recommend a range such as 250-400 square feet per pound. Seeding a new lawn or spot repair usually takes roughly twice as much seed as overseeding an existing lawn. Use the rate with the heaviest coverage for new lawns and to fill in bare or damaged areas.
How many turnips is a pound?
After surveying the vegetable selection we discovered that 1 pound of turnips is equal to 2 to 3 large or 4 to 6 small turnips. For sweet, tender turnips, we selected smaller roots; for our calculations we used one 3-inch turnip.
How many pounds of purple top turnips do you plant per acre?
2-5 lbs/acreThe recommended broadcast seeding rate is 10 lbs/acre, less if you seed in a mixture with other species. If seeded precisely, plants will grow quite large and can shade out other species in a mix. Reduce seeding rate of turnips to 2-5 lbs/acre when combining with other seeds.
How many turnip seeds do I need?
Growing turnips should be done with seeds in the soil about 1/2 inch (1 cm.) deep at a rate of 3 to 20 seeds per foot (31 cm.). Water immediately after planting to speed germination. Once you find your turnips growing, thin the plants to about 4 inches (10 cm.)
How many pounds of turnips per acre?
When you are ready to plant use 2-5 pounds per acre when planting pure turnip seeds. If you are planting a mixture of seeds use 1-2 pounds of turnip seeds per acre in your mix. Soil ph must be a minimum of 5.5. Additional Information. Common Name: Purple Top Turnips. Scientific Name:
How long does it take for purple top turnips to grow?
This is pure seed, not a live plant. Purple Top Turnips are a fast growing cover crop and can reach maximum production levels in 70 to 90 days. They can provide an excellent source of fall grazing for livestock and wildlife.
Why are purple top turnips good for land?
Finding the right cover crop is important in getting the most out of your land. Purple Top Turnips are helpful in reducing compaction of the soil, fixing problems such as surface crusting, plow layer compaction and subsoil compaction.
When do turnips graze?
Purple Top Turnips are usually grazed in normal growing seasons (April-August) and into the late fall. There is a crude protein of up to 24% in the leaves, and 15% in the roots.
Is cover crop good for livestock?
Cover crops are a great investment, especially those with livestock or those that want to improve soil quality. Fruechte spoke at a winter meeting for the South Dakota Farm Bureau Association’s Young Farmers and Ranchers group.
How much does it cost to plant turnips?
Turnips are cheap to plant. Seed can cost less than five dollars per acre now is the time to plant turnips for fall grazing. Seedbed preparation and planting can be done several ways. Some turnip growers work soil like a fully prepared alfalfa seedbed. Others heavily disk their ground, but leave it fairly rough.
How many pounds of turnip seed per acre?
Plant only 1 to 3 pounds of turnip seed per acre. Turnip seed is very small, so barely cover it. If you drill your seed, just scratch the surface with your openers. Broadcasting works well for many growers, especially onto rough seedbeds where rainfall washes soil onto the seeds for soil coverage.
Can you spray Roundup on wheat?
A few growers spray Roundup or Gramoxone on wheat or oat stubble to kill weeds and then plant no-till. Whatever method you choose, good early weed control is essential. Turnips do poorly if weeds get ahead of them, but once started, turnips compete very well.
How to grow oats and turnips?
Oats and turnip can be planted at the same time using a grain drill with a second, small seed box for turnip seed. If a small seed box isn’t available, the turnips can be broadcast ahead of oat drilling. The soil disturbance from the drill is generally enough to get the turnip started. A recommended seeding rate for oats would be 30 to 40 pounds per acre and 3 pounds per acre for turnips when planted in a mix. Seeding at these rates will result in a seed cost of around $15 to $18 per acre plus an additional $15 per acre for seeding.
How much does it cost to seed an acre of oats?
Seeding at these rates will result in a seed cost of around $15 to $18 per acre plus an additional $15 per acre for seeding.
Do turnips die in November?
Oats will slowly die after several hard freezes; but often maintain some active growth into early November. Turnips will continue to grow slowly until the temperature drops below twenty degrees. Once the leaves are all grazed, cattle will pull bulbs and eat them, choking on bulbs has been an extremely rare problem. Usually 1/3 of turnip roots are utilized unless they are removed from the ground through some sort of cultivation. Even into the dead of winter, the bulb of the frozen turnip can remain grazeable but once the bulb thaws the turnip deteriorates rapidly.
Can you graze turnips in the winter?
Usually 1/3 of turnip roots are utilized unless they are removed from the ground through some sort of cultivation. Even into the dead of winter, the bulb of the frozen turnip can remain grazeable but once the bulb thaws the turnip deteriorates rapidly. The biggest health risk with grazing of oats and/or turnips is bloat.
About Turnips
Turnips, a fast growing, cool-weather vegetable, can take a month less to harvest than their cool-season cousin the Rutabaga. They are easy to grow, and all parts of the plant are edible.
When to Plant Turnip Seeds
Turnips can be grown in both early Spring and in late Summer for a Fall crop. In frost-free climates, sow in Fall.
Where to Plant Turnip Seeds
Select a site that gets full sun. Soil should be well-draining, light, and loosened to a depth of 10 to 15 inches, and free of any clumps of grass and stones. If the soil is heavy or poor, consider using a soil amendment such as composted organic matter or aged manure.
How to Plant Turnip Seeds
Turnips should be directly sowed into the ground; they do not transplant well. Scatter turnip seeds and cover with no more than ½ inch of fine soil. Lightly compress soil and keep evenly moist. Seedlings will emerge in 7-14 days. Once seedlings are 2 - 4 inches high, thin them to 4 to 6 inches apart.
How to Harvest Turnips
Harvest once they have reached 2-3 inches in diameter. Early varieties after about 5 weeks, and main crop varieties after 6 to 10 weeks. For turnip greens, wait until the roots develop. If you are harvesting turnip greens, know that this will slow the production of the root, and will take longer to harvest.
How to Care for Turnips
Keep the beds free of weeds. Weeds will compete with plants for water, space, and nutrients. Either, weed frequently, and/or mulch heavily to prevent their seeds from germinating. Try to avoid disturbing the soil around the plants when weeding.
How long does it take for turnips to grow?
As mentioned, turnips grow much quicker than other plants. But it still takes 70 to 90 days to reach full maturity. Because of that, in the North, I prefer to plant as early as July. I know. I know. Never plant something unless the month has an R in it. With all due respect, that’s a bunch of hogwash.
How to grow turnips in a garden?
Soil samples are key. Turnips do best with a soil pH over 6.0. Lime and fertilize as needed. Spray. Wait. Then, work the soil with a disk. No “throw and grow” here. If broadcasting, plant at a 10- to 12-pound-per-acre seeding rate. If drilling, plant approximately 7 to 9 pounds per acre instead.
Why do I like turnips?
I really like turnips because they offer food sources in two stages: first the leafy plant and then the turnip (root) itself afterward. This plant ranges from 15 to 22 percent protein. It’s easily digestible (very palatable), too. The yields are generally very high.
Do turnips grow fast?
All jokes aside, turnips rank high on that list. As part of the brassicas family, a good turnip plot grows fast, feeds the herd, and looks pretty doing it. It’s easy to maintain as well. As a large broadleaf plant, if planted thick enough and given a good start, it quickly smothers out competing plants.
