View Category:Turnips
Turnips, swedes, and Rutabaga,
These names are used somewhat interchangeably,
The vegetable known as rutabega in the U.S. is known as a swede or turnip here. This is Brassica napa, (as is oil seed rape amd some kales). It has blueish green grey leaves which are not hairy. They have yellow flesh.
The other vegetable known as turnip is Brassica rapa and has green hairy leaves. This is also know as 'white turnip, and is related to Chinese cabbages. They generally have white flesh. Both have a mild sweet taste, which is at its best when the vegetables are young.
Turnips are quick to grow and undemanding, providing vegetables at times of year when other things are scarce.
'White turnips' such as Milan Purple Top are one of the first vegetables ready to eat in summer and 'swedes' such as Tipperary Turnip are good to eat out of the garden from September until the end of March, when they start to bolt.
White turnip swhould be sown at intervals from March to July to provide a regular supply throughout the summer. Swedes are usually planted in June, and July as space becomes available.
Sow both kinds of turnips thinl in rows 30cm apart. Thin turnips, to be eaten small, to 5cm. Swedes can be thinned to 30 cm if large ones are required.