Turnips 
Turnips are a very versatile vegetable - they can be harvested when mature or young, cooked or eaten raw and the young tops can be used like spring greens.
They are quick to mature and easy to grow.
Sowing
Sow seeds13mm (0.5in) deep.
Early turnips: sow 'Atlantic' or 'Milan Purple Top' under cloches in February and other cultivars from March to June, in rows 23cm (9in) apart.
Maincrop turnips: sow from July to mid-August in rows 30cm (12in) apart.
Turnip tops: sow in August or September in rows 7.5cm (3in) apart.
Growing
Thin out turnips grown for their roots until they are eventually 15cm (6in) apart for early crops, or 23cm (9in) apart for maincrops.
Water during dry weather or the roots will be small and woody.
Harvesting
Early turnips: pull the turnips from May to September when the size of a golf ball for eating raw or the size of a tennis ball for cooking.
Maincrop turnips: lift the turnips from mid-October onwards when the size of a golf ball.
Turnip tops: harvest in March and April. Leave the plants to re-sprout as several cuts can be obtained.
