The key factor to remember with turnips — while deer will begin eating them as early as germination, don’t expect peak consumption during the early season. In areas with quality food sources, deer typically don’t hit them very hard until mid-October to early November.
When should I plant purple top turnips for deer?
Turnips grow fairly quickly and reach maturity in 75 to 90 days. They grow well in both southern and northern climates. Turnips can be planted in late summer in northern climates or early fall in the southern states.
What is the best season for turnips?
winter
When are turnips in season? Peak season for baby turnips is June to July. You can buy winter turnips all year round, although peak season is from October to February. Find them at your local greengrocer or farm shop.
Is there a season for turnips?
When Are Turnips in Season? Turnips are predominantly harvested in the fall and winter season, from October through March. Turnips flourish in temperate environments, making them a reliable crop in most parts of the world.
Do deer like to eat turnips?
Turnips are good for deer because they can provide them with the protein that they need. The turnips will be a good source of protein for the deer and both the tops and roots provide that protein. What is this? It’s good to know that deer like to eat the leafy tops of the turnips as well as the turnips themselves.
Do deer like radishes or turnips better?
The deer will eventually eat the turnip greens but the radishes are preferred. This has been my observation from the years we’ve been doing this.
Do turnips grow back every year?
Now Answered. Dill, radishes, arugula, cilantro, broccoli raab, turnips, and any form of mustard will yield mature seeds in time for fall reseeding in most regions if allowed to flower and set seed.
Can you leave turnips in the ground?
Turnips may be left in the garden as long as the ground does not freeze. In warmer climates, this can mean staying in the ground well into fall and even into winter.
How big should turnips be when you pick them?
If harvesting for both the root and the leaves, the turnip should be about 2 inches in diameter, but if the leaves have been harvested first, the turnip should be 3 inches in diameter when it is ready to be pulled. Pick turnips when they are smaller for a milder, sweeter flavor.
Why are my turnips rotting in the ground?
Bacterial soft rot is caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum bacteria. If it infects the roots, it will cause mushy, water-soaked spots to form on your crops, rendering them inedible.
What to do with lots of turnips?
Try them baked or boiled in stews, soups and stir-fries, or lightly steamed with some butter, salt or lemon juice for flavor. homemade coleslaw. Julienne Them. Turnips make a great matchstick garnish for any dish.
How long do turnips take to grow?
six to ten weeks
Turnips are quick and easy to grow from seed, ready to harvest in as little as six to ten weeks. They like cool, moisture-retentive soil, in an open, sunny location.
What states grow turnips?
Other Important Sources of Carrots and Turnips
These include California, Texas, Washington, Michigan, Florida, Colorado and Wisconsin. In fact, California actually produces 63% of the country’s total carrot and turnip output.
Why won’t deer eat my turnips?
Deer wont eat turnips if you plant too much seed. The plants end up crowding each other out and they stop growing. Deer crave plants that are growing, and stemmy plants go to the bottom of the desired list. Gauge the size of your plots accurately, and err on the low side for seed planted if you are unsure.
Do deer eat turnips before frost?
These are some of the reasons why fall is the best season for growing turnips. The other explanation is that deer don’t tend to eat this root veggie in spring and summer. In fact, these animals prefer turnips to endure a little cold and get sweeter first before consuming them once winter arrives.
What is the best food plot for deer?
The best deer food plots have high-protein crops, such as soybeans, turnips, corn, peas, alfalfa, kale and which are also attractants that the animals enjoy feeding on. Deer like the nutritious nuts that come from chestnuts and acorns as well.
What are winter peas for deer?
Winter Forage Peas are highly favored by whitetail deer and will make a great food plot or addition to a plot seed mixture planted in the fall to attract deer and wildlife. These fast growing peas will attract deer to a plot soon after germination making them a favorite for bow hunting.
Can you have too many food plots?
It’s just the nature of whitetails, but if you have multiple food plots scattered across your property it could mean losing track of a buck as it adjusts to the upcoming rut. If that’s not bad enough, your green thumb could make bucks become hard to pattern.
What is the easiest food plot to grow?
Clover. Clover is by far one of the easiest food plot species to establish and maintain. It is one of the most popular species to throw into mixes, put into standalone plots, or throw it in around other larger food plots.
Should I trim my turnip leaves?
Plant Maintenance
Older leaves turn yellow and begin to wither if you haven’t removed them for food or pruning purposes. Removing the old growth encourages new leaves to grow and is healthy for the turnip, whether grown for leaves or roots. Old, inedible leaves can be placed in a compost pile.
Should you cut leaves off turnips?
Only cut the greens once if you want a turnip harvest of roots. When you cut the leaves, you reduce the plant’s ability to harvest solar energy for food to fuel the growth of the root.