UK sowing calendar
When to sow turnips in the UK
Turnips sowing calendar (UK)
| Sow under cover | n/a |
|---|---|
| Sow / plant outdoors | Feb-Aug |
| Harvest | May-Oct+ |
Direct sow - early varieties Mar-Jun for summer harvests, maincrop Jul to mid-Aug for autumn roots. The earliest Feb sowings need cloche or greenhouse protection, and turnip tops can also be cut for spring greens in Mar-Apr.
UK timing runs on the last-frost date, not a USDA zone. Most of Britain sees its last frost around mid-May, with the north and exposed inland gardens a week or two later and the mild south-west and coast earlier. Tender crops start under cover and only go out once frost has passed; hardy crops can be direct-sown as soon as the soil is workable.
Timing aligned with the RHS grow-your-own guide for turnips.
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When to sow turnips in the UK — FAQs
When should I sow turnips in the UK?
Sow turnips outdoors feb-aug. Direct sow - early varieties Mar-Jun for summer harvests, maincrop Jul to mid-Aug for autumn roots. The earliest Feb sowings need cloche or greenhouse protection, and turnip tops can also be cut for spring greens in Mar-Apr.
Can you sow turnips outdoors in the UK?
Yes — sow or plant turnips outdoors feb-aug. Wait until after the last frost (around mid-May, later in the north) for anything tender.
When is turnips ready to harvest in the UK?
Turnips is typically harvested May-Oct+ in the UK, depending on your sowing date, cultivar and region.
Is it too late to sow turnips?
It depends on the month and your region. Turnips has a UK outdoor window of feb-aug; northern and exposed gardens run a week or two behind the south. Open Growli and tell it your postcode for timing tuned to your own last-frost date.