When to Plant Turnips for Deer in Missouri: A Guide

When To Plant Turnips For Deer In Missouri

Turnips are a popular winter forage crop for deer in Missouri. They are a good source of energy and nutrients, and deer will readily eat them. However, it is important to plant turnips at the right time of year in order to maximize their nutritional value for deer.

In this article, we will discuss the best time to plant turnips for deer in Missouri. We will also provide tips on how to grow turnips for deer, and how to harvest and store them for winter feeding.

So if you are interested in providing a nutritious and delicious food source for deer on your property, read on for more information!

Month	Best Time to Plant	Reason
March	Early March	The ground is starting to warm up, and the turnips will have plenty of time to grow before the first frost.
April	Mid-April	The weather is warming up, and the turnips will have plenty of time to grow before the first frost.
May	Late May	The weather is warm, and the turnips will have plenty of time to grow before the first frost.

When to Plant Turnips for Deer in Missouri

Turnips are a versatile crop that can be grown for both human and animal consumption. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and deer love to eat them. If you are thinking about planting turnips for deer in Missouri, there are a few things you need to know about when to plant them.

Spring planting

Spring is the best time to plant turnips for deer in Missouri. The soil should be warm and moist, and the weather should be cool. You can start planting turnips as early as March, but the best time to plant them is in April or May.

When planting turnips for deer, it is important to choose a variety that is resistant to bolting. Bolting is when a plant produces a flower stalk instead of forming a root. Deer do not like to eat turnips that have bolted, so it is important to choose a variety that is resistant to this problem.

Fall planting

You can also plant turnips for deer in the fall. Fall planting is a good option if you live in an area with a short growing season. Fall-planted turnips will not produce as large of a crop as spring-planted turnips, but they will still be a valuable food source for deer.

When planting turnips for deer in the fall, it is important to choose a variety that is tolerant of frost. You can start planting turnips as early as September, but the best time to plant them is in October or November.

Turnips are a great way to provide food for deer in Missouri. By planting turnips at the right time, you can help to ensure that deer have a healthy and nutritious diet.

How to Plant Turnips for Deer in Missouri

Planting turnips for deer is a simple process. Here are the steps involved:

1. Choose a planting site. Turnips prefer full sun, but they can tolerate partial shade. They also prefer well-drained soil.
2. Prepare the soil. Turnips do not require a lot of fertilizer, but it is helpful to add some compost or manure to the soil before planting.
3. Plant the turnips. Turnips can be planted by seed or by transplants. If you are planting by seed, sow the seeds 1 inch apart in rows that are 12 inches apart. If you are planting by transplants, space the plants 12 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart.
4. Water the turnips regularly. Turnips need to be watered regularly, especially during dry spells.
5. Harvest the turnips. Turnips are ready to harvest when the roots are about 2 inches in diameter. You can harvest the turnips by pulling them out of the ground.

Planting turnips for deer is a great way to provide food for these animals. By following these simple steps, you can help to ensure that deer have a healthy and nutritious diet.

Soil Preparation

Turnips are a relatively hardy crop, but they do best in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. If your soil is sandy or clayey, you will need to add some compost or manure to improve the drainage and nutrient content. You can also add a layer of mulch to help to retain moisture and keep the soil cool.

Planting Depth

Turnip seeds should be planted about 1 inch deep. If you are planting turnips in rows, space the seeds 1 inch apart. You can thin the seedlings to 4 inches apart once they have emerged.

Row Spacing

Turnips should be planted in rows that are 12 inches apart. This will give the plants enough room to grow and develop.

Turnips are a great way to provide food for deer in Missouri. By following these simple tips, you can help to ensure that deer have a healthy and nutritious diet.

When to Plant Turnips for Deer in Missouri?

Turnips are a cool-season crop that can be planted in Missouri from early spring to late summer. The best time to plant turnips for deer is in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. This will give the turnips plenty of time to grow before the hot summer weather arrives.

When planting turnips for deer, it is important to choose a location that gets full sun. Turnips need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce a good crop. The soil should be well-drained and fertile. If the soil is not fertile, you can add compost or manure to improve the nutrient content.

Turnips can be planted in rows or in a broadcast fashion. If you are planting them in rows, space the plants 12 inches apart. If you are planting them in a broadcast fashion, spread the seeds evenly over the area and then thin the seedlings to 12 inches apart.

After planting the turnips, water them well. You will need to water them regularly, especially during dry periods.

How to Care for Turnips for Deer in Missouri

Turnips are relatively easy to care for, but there are a few things you can do to help them grow well.

• Watering: Turnips need regular watering, especially during dry periods. Water them deeply once or twice a week, or more often if the weather is hot and dry.
• Weeding: Turnips can be susceptible to weeds, so it is important to keep the area around them weeded. You can hand-weed or use a hoe to remove weeds.
• Pest control: Turnips can be attacked by a variety of pests, including aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage loopers. If you see any pests on your turnips, you can use a natural insecticide, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, to control them.

Harvesting Turnips for Deer in Missouri

Turnips are ready to harvest when they are about 2 inches in diameter. You can harvest them by pulling them out of the ground. Be sure to leave the greens attached, as the deer will eat them too.

Turnips can be stored in a cool, dry place for several weeks. You can also freeze them or can them for longer storage.

Turnips are a great way to provide food for deer in Missouri. They are easy to grow and care for, and deer love to eat them. By planting turnips for deer, you can help to improve the health of the deer population in your area.

When is the best time to plant turnips for deer in Missouri?

Turnips can be planted in Missouri from early April to late May. The best time to plant them will depend on the specific climate of your area. In general, you should plant turnips when the soil temperature has reached 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

How much do turnips cost to plant for deer?

The cost of planting turnips for deer will vary depending on the size of your plot and the cost of turnip seeds. In general, you can expect to pay around $10-$20 per 100 square feet of turnips.

How many turnips do I need to plant per acre for deer?

You will need to plant around 100 pounds of turnips per acre for deer. This will provide enough food for deer to browse on throughout the winter months.

What type of turnips should I plant for deer?

The best type of turnips to plant for deer are the winter varieties. These turnips are larger and have a sweeter flavor than the summer varieties. Some good varieties to plant include Purple Top, Tokyo Cross, and Flat Dutch.

How deep should I plant turnips for deer?

Turnips should be planted about 1 inch deep. This will allow the roots to develop properly and the turnips to be easily accessible to deer.

How much water do turnips need to grow?

Turnips need regular watering to grow properly. You should water them deeply once or twice a week, or more often if the weather is hot and dry.

How long does it take turnips to grow?

Turnips will take around 80-90 days to mature. You can start harvesting them when the roots are about 2 inches in diameter.

How do I harvest turnips for deer?

To harvest turnips for deer, simply dig them up with a garden fork or shovel. Be sure to leave the greens attached so that the deer can eat them as well.

What are the benefits of planting turnips for deer?

There are many benefits to planting turnips for deer. Turnips are a nutritious food source for deer, and they can help to improve the health of your deer herd. Turnips also help to attract deer to your property, which can make them easier to hunt.

Are there any risks associated with planting turnips for deer?

There are a few risks associated with planting turnips for deer. First, turnips can be a host plant for the cabbage looper moth. This moth can damage turnips and other crops. Second, turnips can attract other pests, such as rodents and rabbits. Finally, turnips can spread diseases to other plants in your garden.

How can I prevent pests from eating my turnips?

There are a few things you can do to prevent pests from eating your turnips. First, you can plant your turnips in a location that is not prone to pests. Second, you can use a row cover to protect your turnips from pests. Third, you can hand-pick pests off of your turnips. Finally, you can use an insecticide to kill pests.

the best time to plant turnips for deer in Missouri is in the early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Turnips are a cold-hardy crop that can tolerate frost, so they can be planted even when the weather is still cool. Deer love turnips, and they will help to attract deer to your property. Turnips are also a good source of nutrients for deer, so they can help to improve the health of your deer herd. When planting turnips for deer, it is important to plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Turnips should be planted about 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart. You can also plant turnips in rows, with about 2 feet between rows. Turnips will be ready to harvest in about 60 days.