4 Turnip Varieties to Grow at Home This Winter

And now as grown ups, we see turnips making their appearance in our winter salads and curries, and rightfully so. Turnips are a great addition to any home garden in the winter season. They are super easy to grow in pots, take up very little space and can be grown for both edible roots and nutritious leafy greens.

Turnips (Brassica rapa) have been grown for thousands of years and their origin can be traced back to somewhere in Eurasia. Today, they are grown and enjoyed across many parts of the world. Turnips are especially popular in and around Punjab where they are used in dishes like shalgam ki sabzi and turnip pickle. They are very popular and used mostly in vegetable curries, stews and soups across India.

The best thing about turnips is the fact that they are very versatile and can be boiled, roasted, mashed, fermented and served alongside a lot of meat or other vegetables. Their mild, earthy flavour makes them an all-round winter ingredient that can be used as required.

But why grow just one kind of turnip? We have four distinct turnip seed varieties for you to explore this cold season, each offering a different colour, taste and now you can enjoy them in everything from Indian curries and parathas to soups, salads and comforting side dishes.

1. Purple Top White Globe Turnip Seeds

Purple Top White Globe turnips are known for their bicoloured round roots. They have a white lower half and attractive pastel purple top, which develop where the roots receive ample sunlight. Their crisp flesh has a mild, slightly sweet flavour that becomes softer and sweeter when cooked.

These turnips are a great choice for home gardeners and can generally be harvested in around 45–60 days, depending on local growing conditions. Use them in any sabzi with their leafy green tops, or add to comforting soups, or just roast to enjoy in vegetable dishes. They are also delicious when diced and cooked with peas, carrots and common spices.

2. Red Turnip Seeds

Red turnips bring a bright crimson colour to the winter vegetable patch. Their bright red skin makes them an appealing alternative to more familiar white varieties. The roots typically have a mildly sweet, earthy flavour, making them suitable for simple home-cooked meals.

They can be harvested in 40-50 days depending on the weather and growing conditions, but turnips are generally ready when their roots reach a useful eating size. Try Red turnips in a lightly spiced sabzi, or cook them with ginger, cumin and tomatoes for a warming winter dish.

3. Snowball Turnip Seeds

Snowball turnips are known for their smooth, round, white roots. Their pale flesh has a delicate flavour and tender texture when harvested young, making them a good option for  when you need some subtle flavours and taste in your winter meals.

They can be harvested in 50-60 days after germination under ideal growing conditions. These turnips can be used in soups, stews, stir-fries and mashed vegetable dishes. For a simple meal, simmer chopped Snowball turnips until tender, then season with black pepper, salt and a little butter or olive oil.

4. Golden Sunrise Turnip Seeds

Golden Sunrise turnips add a sunny yellow colour to the winter harvest. Their golden skin and flesh make them visually distinctive, while their flavour is generally mild and earthy, with a gentle sweetness when cooked.

Harvest the roots in about 45-60 days while they are still tender for the best texture. Golden turnips work particularly well roasted with garlic and herbs, added to vegetable soups or mashed with a little butter and black pepper.

How to Grow Turnips in Pots at Home

Turnips are well suited to container gardening, provided their roots have enough room to develop. Follow these simple steps for a healthy winter crop.

1. Planting

Choose a pot at least 25–30 cm deep, with drainage holes. Fill it with loose, well-draining soil enriched with mature compost. Sow seeds about 1 cm deep, spacing them a few centimetres apart. Once seedlings emerge, thin them so each plant has enough room to develop a good-sized root. Leave only 3-4 turnip plants in one pot for optimum space.

2. Sunlight

Place your pots in a spot that receives around 4–6 hours of sunlight daily. Turnips prefer cool weather, making them suitable for the Indian winter growing season. In warmer regions, protect turnip plants from unusually hot afternoon sun.

3. Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist, but never waterlogged. Check the top layer of soil regularly and water when it begins to feel dry. Inconsistent watering can lead to tough, woody or cracked turnip roots.

4. Common Pests and Diseases

Like for all winter vegetables in the garden, keep an eye out for aphids, cabbage butterflies and caterpillars that feed on leaves. Remove caterpillars by hand and use insect-proof mesh where possible. Organic neem oil spray can also help address these pest problems. Avoid overcrowding turnips, as good airflow and drainage help reduce fungal problems.

5. Organic Fertilizers

Mix mature vermicompost or well-rotted weed-free cow manure into the potting mix before sowing. You can add a small amount of vermicompost around the plants during growth. Avoid fresh manure, which may damage roots and introduce unwanted pathogens.

6. Harvesting

Harvest turnips when their roots reach the size recommended for the variety, often around 5–8 cm across. Loosen the soil gently and pull the roots out without damaging them. You can also harvest a few healthy outer leaves at a time, leaving enough foliage for the plant to continue growing. Wash the roots and greens thoroughly before cooking.

Recipe: Creamy Mashed Turnips

Looking for a change from mashed potatoes in your side dish this winter? Mashed turnips make a simple, comforting side dish that pairs well with roasted vegetables, lentils or your favourite main course.

Ingredients

• 3 medium turnips, peeled and chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
• 2 tablespoons milk, as needed
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• A pinch of garlic powder or a little finely chopped garlic

Method

1. Place the chopped turnips in a pan of water and bring to the boil.
2. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the turnips are completely tender.
3. Drain well and allow excess steam to escape for a minute or two.
4. Mash with butter or olive oil, adding milk a little at a time until you reach your preferred consistency.
5. Season with salt, black pepper and garlic. Serve warm.

Turnips are a rewarding crop for cold winter days. With these varieties to choose from, you can experiment with different colours and flavours while making the most of your winter growing space. Fresh turnips and turnip greens can make a delicious addition to your meals.

Happy Gardening!