turnips

[Dalrimple]

please, can anyone tell me how to save and store turnips ?
iv'e never grown them before and was wondering if they can be stored like spuds.
atb Dal.

[Mark_Riga]

They are best left in the ground and used as needed, earthing up would protect from mild frosts and mice/rats. They would be vulnerable to slug damage (and possibly mice/rats) particularly if the weather stays mild, when they could also grow too large may be. If a very cold spell threatened, you could either dig them up or cover them - rhs suggests 6'' of straw or bracken.
You can store them like carrots, in sand somewhere cool but I don't think they would keep through the winter. Swede would be a better bet for keeping and I think are less susceptible to frost damage.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=666

[Dalrimple]

thanks for the reply Mark . Dal

[jacks10]

Sorry to invade your thread !
I too is also a novice of growing turnips plus everything else.
I sowed my turnips about 6 weeks ago but my question is how much to water them. I am growing then in a container and they might be over watered when I was away a fortnight ago plus the heavy rain we had at the weekend. The soil is damp every day so do I add more water or let nature take its course.
I also have leeks in the other side of the container (it's a long container) and worrying about them to!!

[Penellype]

I'm no expert on turnips, but I wouldn't want the soil too wet. Turnips are brassicas and in general brassicas don't like to be waterlogged. Leeks are a bit more tolerant but will probably bolt if they get too dry...

If the soil is damp to touch I would think it is ok. If it starts to look/feel dry I would consider watering.

Your container should have holes in the bottom for drainage (some plastic containers are sold without holes so you need to make your own). If there are no holes then the container is likely to flood after heavy rain or watering, and very few plants like this.

[jacks10]

Thank you.

Yes the container has holes and have been draining frequently and at the mo there is no more water to drain.

I will leave alone and water when needed.