What to Plant with Turnips: A Guide to Companion Planting

Turnips are a cool-season crop that are easy to grow and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They are also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

When it comes to companion planting, turnips can be grown with a variety of other vegetables. Some good companion plants for turnips include radishes, carrots, lettuce, and peas. These plants help to deter pests and diseases, and they can also help to improve the soil quality.

In this article, we will discuss the best companion plants for turnips, as well as some tips for growing turnips successfully. We will also provide a list of recipes that you can use to enjoy turnips in your own kitchen.

So if you are thinking about growing turnips this year, be sure to read on for all the information you need to know!

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Vegetable	Benefits of Companion Planting	Planting Tips
Carrots	Discourages pests such as carrot rust flies and aphids	Plant carrots and turnips together in the same row.
Lettuce	Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies	Plant lettuce and turnips together in the same bed.
Peas	Provides nitrogen to the soil, which helps turnips grow better	Plant peas around the edge of a turnip bed.
Radishes	Discourages pests such as flea beetles and root maggots	Plant radishes and turnips together in the same row.

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Fertilizer and Watering for Turnips

Turnips are a relatively easy crop to grow, but they do require some basic care in order to produce a good harvest. One of the most important factors in growing healthy turnips is providing them with the right amount of fertilizer and water.

Fertilizer

Turnips are heavy feeders and require a lot of nutrients in order to produce a good crop. The best way to fertilize turnips is to apply a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, at the time of planting. You can also side-dress turnips with a nitrogen fertilizer about halfway through the growing season.

It is important to avoid over-fertilizing turnips, as this can lead to problems such as leaf burn and stunted growth. If you are not sure how much fertilizer to apply, it is always best to err on the side of caution and apply less fertilizer than you think you need.

Watering

Turnips need regular watering in order to produce a good crop. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. If the soil dries out too much, the turnips will become tough and woody.

The best time to water turnips is in the morning. This will help to prevent the leaves from getting wet and developing diseases.

By following these tips, you can help your turnips grow to their full potential and produce a bountiful harvest.

Pests and Diseases of Turnips

Turnips are susceptible to a number of pests and diseases, but most of these can be prevented or treated with relatively simple measures.

Common Pests of Turnips

• Aphids: Aphids are small, sap-sucking insects that can cause damage to turnips by feeding on the leaves and stems. They can also transmit plant diseases.
• Flea beetles: Flea beetles are small, jumping insects that feed on the leaves of turnips. They can cause the leaves to become ragged and unsightly.
• Cutworms: Cutworms are the larvae of moths. They cut the stems of turnips near the soil surface, causing the plants to wilt and die.
• Wireworms: Wireworms are the larvae of click beetles. They feed on the roots of turnips, causing the plants to wilt and die.

Common Diseases of Turnips

• Black rot: Black rot is a fungal disease that causes the leaves and stems of turnips to turn black. It can also cause the roots to rot.
• Clubroot: Clubroot is a soil-borne disease that causes the roots of turnips to become swollen and club-shaped. It can eventually kill the plants.
• Downy mildew: Downy mildew is a fungal disease that causes the leaves of turnips to become yellow and covered with a white, powdery growth.

Preventing and Treating Pests and Diseases of Turnips

There are a number of things you can do to prevent pests and diseases from damaging your turnips.

• Rotate crops: Rotating crops helps to prevent the build-up of pests and diseases in the soil.
• Sow seeds early: Sowing seeds early helps to give the plants a head start on pests and diseases.
• Thin seedlings: Thinning seedlings helps to reduce the spread of pests and diseases.
• Water regularly: Watering regularly helps to keep the plants healthy and strong, which makes them less susceptible to pests and diseases.
• Prune diseased plants: Pruning diseased plants helps to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
• Use resistant varieties: Growing resistant varieties of turnips can help to reduce the incidence of pests and diseases.
• Apply pesticides and fungicides: If necessary, you can apply pesticides and fungicides to control pests and diseases.

By following these tips, you can help to protect your turnips from pests and diseases and ensure a bountiful harvest.

What To Plant With Turnips?

Turnips are a cool-season crop that can be grown in early spring or fall. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. When planting turnips, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Sunlight: Turnips need full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: Turnips grow best in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
• Water: Turnips need regular watering, especially during dry spells.
• Spacing: Turnips should be spaced 2-3 inches apart.

When choosing companion plants for turnips, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Complementary growth habits: Turnips are a shallow-rooted crop, so they can be planted with taller plants that do not shade them out.
• Different nutrient requirements: Turnips are heavy feeders, so they can be planted with plants that have lower nutrient requirements.
• Attract beneficial insects: Turnips attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which help to control pests.

Some good companion plants for turnips include:

• Carrots: Carrots and turnips are both root crops, so they can be planted together without competing for resources. Carrots help to repel pests from turnips.
• Cabbage: Cabbage and turnips are both members of the Brassica family, so they can be planted together to help improve the flavor of both crops. Cabbage also helps to repel pests from turnips.
• Lettuce: Lettuce and turnips can be planted together in a salad mix. Lettuce helps to shade the turnips from the sun, which can help to prevent them from bolting.
• Peas: Peas and turnips can be planted together to help improve the nitrogen content of the soil. Peas also help to support the turnips by providing them with support.

By following these tips, you can successfully grow turnips and enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Additional Resources:

• [How to Grow Turnips](https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/vegetables/turnips/growing-turnips.htm)
• [Companion Planting for Turnips](https://www.almanac.com/garden/vegetables/companion-planting-turnips)

  there are many different vegetables that can be planted with turnips. Some of the best options include carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, and peas. These vegetables all have similar growing requirements and will help to maximize the use of your garden space. By planting turnips with other vegetables, you can create a more diverse and productive garden.