Turnips, especially the ‘Market Express’ variety, have come a long way to known as as tough, bitter vegetables. These new varieties are flavorful and can be eaten raw, adding a crisp, fresh bite to salads and sandwiches. In this guide, you’ll learn how to grow and care for ‘Market Express’ turnips in your garden.
What Are ‘Market Express’ Turnips?
Inspired by Japanese market turnips, ‘Market Express’ is a cold-hardy variety that produces small, round, white roots with a sweet, tangy, radish-like taste. These turnips are known for their leafy greens, which can be used in salads or as a herb. In addition to being a popular vegetable, turnips are also often grown as forage for wildlife and livestock, and the ‘Market Express’ variety is particularly good for its abundant leaf growth.
Short History of Turnips
The original Brassica rapa, the species from which turnips descend, is native to North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. It was domesticated thousands of years ago and became a staple in the ancient Roman diet. From there, it spread to China, Japan, and eventually the rest of the world.
Key Characteristics
Like other brassicas, such as cabbage and mustard, ‘Market Express’ turnips have dark green leaves. The turnip roots are a good source of vitamin C, while the greens provide calcium, vitamin E, and folic acid. The roots are smooth, round, and white with a slightly sweet taste.
Planting ‘Market Express’ Turnips
When to Plant
Sow ‘Market Express’ seeds in late spring or summer directly into well-prepared garden beds. These turnips don’t like having their roots disturbed, so it’s better not to start them in trays. Plant seeds about two to four weeks before the last frost or when the soil temperature reaches around 50°F (10°C). If you want a continuous harvest, sow seeds every two weeks. In warmer climates, you can plant in the fall and grow them as a cool-season crop.
Requirements to Grow ‘Market Express’ Turnips
‘Market Express’ turnips germinate in seven to fourteen days and will mature in about 45-50 days. However, you can harvest baby roots within 30 days for a more tender and mild taste.
Light Requirements
These turnips grow best in full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade. In warmer climates, they prefer cooler soil and will do better in shaded areas during the hot months or when grown in the fall and winter. In cooler USDA zones 2 and 3, plant them in a sunny part of your garden for the best results. They need six to eight hours of sunlight per day.
Watering Tips
‘Market Express’ turnips need consistently moist soil, but it must also drain well. Over-watering can cause the roots to rot, while under-watering can hinder growth. As a rule, give them about an inch of water per week, especially if it hasn’t rained.
Ideal Soil
Turnips prefer well-drained, loose soil to develop properly. If your garden has heavy clay soil, add organic matter like compost to improve drainage. Aim for a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0 for the best growth.
Temperature
Turnips are frost-tolerant and can withstand temperatures as low as 28°F (-2°C) and as high as 86°F (30°C). However, the ideal temperature for growing ‘Market Express’ turnips is between 65°F and 80°F (18°C and 27°C).
Fertilizing
Good soil preparation is often enough to grow healthy ‘Market Express’ turnips. However, if growth seems slow, you can use a balanced organic fertilizer every three to four weeks during the growing season to boost development.
How to Propagate ‘Market Express’ Turnips
Turnips are propagated by seeds. Sow the seeds directly into well-prepared beds to avoid disturbing the roots. Clear the soil of weeds and stones, then till it to make it loose and light. If necessary, add compost to improve soil structure and drainage.
Plant seeds about one-quarter to one-half inch deep, spacing them an inch apart. Rows should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. After sowing, water the seeds gently to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Once the seedlings grow, thin them out to leave four to six inches between each plant. Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Harvesting ‘Market Express’ Turnips
You can start harvesting baby turnips 30 days after sowing. These smaller roots are perfect for eating raw or lightly cooked. Full-sized roots should be firm and about two to three inches in diameter.
Harvest turnip greens when they are 12-18 inches tall. Be careful not to take more than 25% of the leaves at a time so the plant can continue to grow healthy bulbs. You can harvest greens four to six weeks after sowing, and they may regrow for another harvest.
Common Problems When Growing Turnips
Over watering
Newly planted seeds can struggle to germinate if the soil is too wet. Make sure your soil drains well to avoid this issue.
Pests
Aphids are common pests that may be attracted to turnip leaves. You can control them by planting flowering plants nearby to attract beneficial insects like ladybugs. If aphids become a problem, remove the infested leaves.
Root maggots, the larvae of adult flies, can also attack turnip bulbs. To prevent these pests, keep the area around your plants clean, use row covers, and rotate crops in the garden each year.
Diseases
Downy mildew is a common fungal disease that affects turnip leaves, causing white or yellow mold and eventual plant death. To prevent this, ensure proper spacing between plants for good airflow and keep the garden area clean. Infected leaves should be removed and discarded, not composted.
By following these guidelines, you can successfully grow and harvest ‘Market Express’ turnips, a flavorful and easy-to-grow variety. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and enjoy the fresh, crisp taste of these new-age turnips in your meals!
