How late can you plant turnips in Illinois?
Turnips
| Vegetable | Hardiness | Recommended planting period for central Illinois (b) |
|---|---|---|
| For overall Use | ||
| Turnips | Hardy | Mar. 25-Apr. 15 Aug. 1-15 |
How deep do you plant turnips?
Sow seeds directly in the soil ¼ to ½ of an inch deep, 1 inch apart, in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. You can also scatter turnip seed and thin later. Cover seeds with not more than ½ an inch of soil.
Can you plant turnips in the spring for deer?
Both turnips and radishes tend to mature much quicker when planted during the spring. This results in these crops becoming non palatable to deer rapidly. You might try buckwheat as the seed is relatively small and often grows well when broadcast into a good seedbed.
Should turnip seeds be soaked before planting?
Still, I like to mix in standard application of a balanced organic fertilizer, watered in well, before planting turnip seeds. Additionally, deeply soaking the prepared bed helps encourage strong germination.
Can you broadcast turnips?
Because of their small size, turnip seed can be shallowly planted and can even be spread into an existing plot with little or no tillage. If broadcast seeded, it is always best to drag and or cultipack after planting to ensure good seed to soil contact and germination. Turnips are moderate to heavy feeders.
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. If I had only one to choose, it would be radish.
Can you plant turnips too thick?
Once seedlings are 4 inches high, thin them to 4 to 6 inches apart. Crowding can result in small or malformed roots. If you grow them any closer than 4 inches, they’re not going to grow.
Will whitetail deer eat turnips?
Turnips and radishes provide excellent late-season food well into the winter long after their leaves are broken down. Deer will eat the tubers as long as they can get dig them out of the frozen ground.
What is the best way to grow turnips?
Turnips grow best in full sun when temperatures range from 40° to 75°F. As soon as the garden can be worked, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches. Mix in 2 to 4 inches of aged manure and/or compost. Add more to heavy, clay soil to improve drainage.
How long does it take for turnip seeds to come up?
Germination takes 7–10 days at an optimum soil temperature between 65–85° F. Thin seedlings to 3–4 inches apart to harvest roots, or allow them to remain crowded if you primarily desire the leafy greens.
Can I broadcast turnip seed?
Plant only 2 to 3 pounds of turnip seed per acre. The seed is very small, so barely cover it. Simply broadcasting seed onto tilled soils works well for many growers, especially on rough seedbeds where rainfall or irrigation washes soil onto the seeds for soil coverage.
Why are deer not eating 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 like turnips or radishes more?
When to plant turnips for deer?
The best time to plant turnips for deer is when the soil temperature is above 50°F, and there should be enough time (about 55-70 days) between the planting time and when a hard frost happens.
How much do deer eat turnips per acre?
During the early parts of the season, deer forage heavily on the leafy tops of turnips. These tops can be quite abundant, as a well-maintained plot will produce a yield of 6-8 tons per acre.
Can you use turnips as deer bait?
There are tons of benefits when it comes to using turnips for deer bait, which I’m going to go over below, but you’re likely wondering why I’m such a fan of using turnips as deer bait. Honestly, turnips are very easy to grow, and I truly enjoy watching them grow. It’s fun to watch as the taproot develops, and then the leafy top pops out afterwards.
Do deer eat purple top turnip bulbs?
The top of a purple top turnip’s bulb protrudes slightly above the top of the soil, upon reaching maturity. This allows deer better access to the bulbs for consumption.