Turnips are an underrated dual-purpose crop: sweet roots in the cool months and tender greens you can pick for weeks, all from one of the easiest sowings in the garden. This guide answers "when to plant turnips zone 11" directly: when to sow, how to start it, what soil and spacing it needs, how to water and feed it, which neighbours help, which pests to watch, and when to harvest. Zone 11 is frost-free, with average winter lows of 40 to 50°F, so there is no last or first frost date to plan around — here you plant by heat and by the wet and dry seasons, not by frost. See the full planting calendar for the whole year, and check your local extension service for advice specific to your area.
Turnips at a glance in Zone 11
All figures below are broad published ranges from standard horticultural references, not exact figures for any variety or garden — they vary by variety, climate and soil. Use them to compare crops and to plan, not as promises.
| Detail | Turnips |
|---|---|
| Days to germinate | 7–10 |
| Days to maturity | 40–60 |
| Spacing (inches) | 4–6 |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Sun | full sun |
| Sowing method | direct sow |
| Cold tolerance | hardy |
| Water needs | moderate |
When to plant turnips in Zone 11
Sow turnips in the coolest months, roughly late autumn through winter, when they can size up before heat arrives. In Zone 11, turnips sown in warm weather grow woody roots and run to seed quickly, so the cool-season window is the one that counts. Sow a row every three weeks through the cool season for a steady supply of roots and greens. Because the zone is frost-free, with winter lows of 40 to 50°F, there is no last-frost date to plan around — sow by temperature and season, and check your local extension service for the best window in your area. Turnips are more forgiving of heat than radishes, but they still do their best work in cool weather. Our December in Zone 11 guide shows what else to sow and harvest that month in Zone 11.
Starting turnips
Sow turnip seed directly in the bed; like other root crops, turnips dislike transplanting, and the published germination range is 7–10 days. Sow thinly, about half an inch deep, and thin seedlings to the spacing in the table below once they are a few inches tall — the thinnings are good eating as baby greens. Keep the bed moist until seedlings are established. Turnips are a good follow-on crop after summer beans, since beans leave nitrogen in the soil that turnips use well. Use the seed spacing calculator to plan how many rows fit your bed.
Soil, spacing and sun
Turnips want loose, fertile soil with a soil pH of 6.0–7.0, free of stones and fresh manure, which cause forked roots. Fork the bed deeply and dig in well-rotted compost; sandy tropical soils suit turnips well if they are enriched, since they drain freely and let roots swell evenly. Heavy clay that stays wet will stunt roots and invite rot, so use a raised bed there. A light mulch after thinning keeps the soil cool and moist and suppresses weeds. Turnips grown mainly for greens are less fussy about soil depth than those grown for roots.
Watering and feeding
Turnips need moderate, even water throughout growth. Dry spells make roots woody and strong-tasting, while a sudden soaking after drought splits them, so water regularly and mulch to even out moisture. Water at the base in the morning and keep the soil consistently damp while roots are swelling. In the dry season, that may mean watering every day or two. Turnips need little extra feeding in compost-rich soil; a light side-dressing of compost halfway through growth is plenty, and too much nitrogen grows leaves at the expense of roots.
Companion planting
Good neighbours for turnips are marigolds, basil, onions and lettuce. Onions help deter the flea beetles and root flies that trouble turnips, marigolds at the bed edge discourage soil pests, and lettuce can fill the spaces between young turnip plants. Basil attracts beneficial insects to the bed. Avoid planting turnips next to other brassicas such as cabbage or broccoli in the same season, since they share pests, and rotate turnips to a fresh bed each year to break the cycle of clubroot and flea beetles. For a cooler-climate comparison, see how the same crop is timed in Zone 9.
Pests and problems
The main pests are cabbage worms, aphids, flea beetles and slugs. Flea beetles are the worst in warm weather: they punch tiny holes in young leaves and can check growth badly. Cover new rows with fine insect mesh until plants are strong, and keep the soil moist, since flea beetles thrive in dry conditions. Aphids can be washed off with water. Slugs chew leaves and young roots at night — check at dusk and keep the bed clear of damp hiding places. Pick off cabbage worms by hand when you see them.
Harvest and storage
Pull roots when they are about the size of a golf ball, usually within the published maturity range of 40–60 days from sowing. Small turnips are sweet and tender; large ones left in warm soil turn woody and strong. Loosen the soil with a fork before pulling, twist off the tops, and use the greens the same day — they are excellent cooked. Turnip greens can also be picked leaf by leaf for weeks before you pull the root. Fresh roots keep for a week or two in the fridge; for longer storage, keep them in a cool, dark place in damp sand if you have one. If you are planning the rest of the bed, our guide to Beets in Zone 11 covers another crop from the same Zone 11 season.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant turnips in Zone 11?
In the coolest months, roughly late autumn through winter. They tolerate a little more warmth than radishes, but cool weather is what gives sweet, tender roots.
Can I grow turnips just for the greens?
Yes. Sow thickly and pick the young leaves regularly — turnip greens are a classic cooking green. Plants grown for greens can be sown closer together than those grown for roots.
Why did my turnips go woody?
Heat, drought, or leaving them in the ground too long. Sow in the cool season, water evenly, mulch, and pull roots while they are still small and sweet.
Do turnips need frost in Zone 11?
No. Zone 11 is frost-free, with winter lows of 40 to 50°F. Turnips do not need frost — they need cool weather, which the cool months provide. Check your local extension service for local sowing dates.