[Ghost]

Hi

I'm thinking of growing turnips next year. I understand they are a brassica. Do I need to cover them because of the birds, like other brassicas? Do they get caterpillars eating their leaves?

[mumofstig]

My turnips seemed to get a lot of flea beetle in dry weather, (if we ever get any more) but didn't seem to get attacked by birds or butterflies.

[willp]

Others may differ, but the biggest problem I`ve had with turnips has been flea beetle in  the very young plants.  I normally fleece the rows after sowing and leave it on until the plants are well established and a few holes are less likely to put the plants back.

If you`re concerned about other pests you could leave the fleece on till harvest.

Never really had a problem with birds in turnips despite having to net other stuff on the plot.

Will

[moose]

As above ^^^ flea beetle has been the only problem I've had.

I have read that thickly sown turnips suppress couch grass and some other weeds, anyone know if this is true or another old gardeners tale?

[shokkyy]

My turnips just never seem to get very big, don't know why.

[mumofstig]

I don't let mine get big, they're sweeter when they're still small