the turnip killer

[magz.mccarthy]

Morning,

I must confess that I am a turnip killer. I've beer trying to grow turnips from seed for a while now. I follow my usual planting pattern - seeds into individual little modules, then transplant into bigger pots, then plant them out when they seem to be big enough to handle the elements. Unfortunately though, by the time they have been in their own pots for a few days, they shrivel up and die on me! They go bone dry and crumble when touched. I water them once a day, the same as everything else, and they are on a sunny windowsill. It gets warm in the room during the day, but not much warmer than it is outside. All my other seedlings seem very happy with the set up. I don't know what I am doing wrong! Any turnip experts out there?

Margaret

[Snadger]

All my turnips are direct sown and thinned and I never have a problem...especially at this time of year!

[TEB]

I have never sown in pots, always direct sown with reasonably results

[Capsid]

I sow mine direct and thin them out. They germinate readily and I am using seed that is several years old. I don't think you need to worry about "the elements" as they are quite hardy.

[pdblake]

...and they are on a sunny windowsill.

There's your problem

Like most brassicas, they prefer to be outside. Turnips are very hardy.

Personally I sow in modules too, but that's more because I have heavy clay soil and bugger all germinates properly save for in the raised beds and I save those for things like carrots that don't like being disturbed much.

[magz.mccarthy]

aha, i'll sow some more outdoors then. I have heavy clay too, and it's soooo weedy that I can't see the seedlings for the weeds so direct sowings haven't really worked for me. I'll put them in pots outdoors and transplant them when I can recognise them.

thanks all!

[Alison]

Sowed a load direct last weekend - which remind me, must go and water as the ground will be bone dry again by now!