[Donnay]

Hi, very new to growing so sorry if this comes across as a simple question. I'm going to grow turnips called snowball, is it best sowing direct or start off in modules? Also should I be doing that now?

[gazza975526570]

i just grow them direct and they pushed themselves apart like raddishes.

They where very easy to grow and quick too!

[Donnay]

Should I be sowing them now?

[gazza975526570]

Should I be sowing them now?

Yup - should be fine.

[mattwragg94]

tbh i sowed them realy late last year around late august/late september and left them to overwinter - i didn't expect to get much but i mush have got a dozen tennis ball sized ones from a 5ft row (i would have probably got more and bigger ones, but as i said i left them and didn't thin them out)

to answer you question i think you can sow them now but not sure - doesn't it say on the packet?

[DD.]

"I think" doesn't answer the question!

"Yes you can" does - from spring onwards.

[mattwragg94]

seems like you've got a bone to pick!  

[Kleftiwallah]

Don't allow them to grow too big,  when they are the size of a tennis ball they may be woody inside.  Golf ball size they are tasty.      Cheers,     Tony.

[New shoot]

I don't think DD has Matt    He's just trying to make sure Donnay gets the advice he needs.

You were lucky to overwinter turnips and not have them go to seed.  They are usually a quick return crop and are sown from now until July.

I do start them in modules with 4-6 seeds in each and plant out as a clump.  They push each other aside to make a nice little bunch.  But direct sowing in a row is fine - my soil is just a bit unforgiving on direct sown seed  

Agree with Tony that they are better picked small.

[mattwragg94]

it ok newshoot its been sorted now - anyway newshoot i didn't think you could transplant turnips - i though they didn't like their roots disturbed? i may have to try growing them in cells  - it wouldn't waste as much seed!

[New shoot]

Turnips like beetroot are really a swollen stem, rather than a root, so its much easier to transplant them than say parsnips, which will fork if you disturb the root in any way 

[mattwragg94]

oooh thanks for that newshoot - i'll sow some tommorow using your method.

[lettice]

i always grow a few rows of turnips outside, sown now and more in june then transplant them inbetween my rows of leeks, the leeks overwinter and the turnips picked late summer   and late autumn, they fit together well

[sarajane]

I try and sow little and often with turnips.  As folks have said they soon get tough if too big and I can always find a spare yard or two once a month to do this.

[Donnay]

Thanks for the advice everyone.x