Turnip Greens Bitter: Heat and Harvest Age
Turnip greens bitter in taste have often grown through heat or dry soil, or were picked too old. The University of Minnesota Extension says drought stress can make turnips bitter or woody and that quality can be poor when they grow in hot weather or grow too large. Turnips like cool seasons.
The short answer
Grow turnip greens fast in cool spring or fall weather and pick young. Minnesota Extension links bitterness to drought stress and poor quality to hot weather. Illinois Extension says to harvest tops at 4 to 6 inches tall when you grow turnips for greens. Water evenly, then sow again for fall.
Why are turnip greens bitter?
Minnesota says turnips reach top quality in cool weather. NC State Extension adds that insufficient water, lack of fertilizer or delayed harvest can make the plant woody. NC State says young leaves suit salads and older leaves are better cooked. For more on how heat and drought change plants, see the effects of environmental stresses on weed plants.
How does heat change flavor?
Minnesota says quality can be poor when turnips grow in hot weather. Maryland Extension notes that spring sown mustard and turnip greens can bolt after long cold spells, so it suggests bolt resistant types such as Alamo turnip for spring. Illinois says turnips mature in two months and can be sown in spring, late summer or fall. Read about heat on plants in cannabis heat stress.
When should you pick turnip greens?
| Step | Timing | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Greens harvest | Tops at 4 to 6 inches | Illinois Extension |
| Thinning | 2 to 4 inches apart at 4 inches tall | Illinois Extension |
| Thinnings | Large enough to use as greens | Illinois Extension |
| Fall sowing | 3 to 4 weeks after a rutabaga date of 100 days before frost | Illinois Extension |
| Roots | 2 to 3 inches wide | Minnesota Extension |
Harvest timing shapes flavor in any crop. Compare it with is your marijuana ready for harvest.
How to: step by step
- Sow turnips for greens in late summer for a fall crop.
- Water to germinate seed and settle seedlings.
- Thin to 2 to 4 inches and eat the thinnings.
- Cut tops at 4 to 6 inches tall.
- Water through dry spells.
Troubleshooting
Bitter in July: sow again in late summer.
Tough old leaves: pick sooner and cook them.
Dry soil: plan water ahead with watering cannabis during drought.
Pick young for milder greens
Cool weather, steady water and early picking give milder greens. Kind Seed Co shares more notes for growers who raise vegetables next to cannabis.
Sources
- Growing turnips and rutabagas in home gardens, University of Minnesota Extension
- Greens (mustard, turnip), University of Maryland Extension
- Turnip, home vegetable gardening, University of Illinois Extension
- Brassica rapa Rapifera Group (turnip), NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
FAQ
Do frosts make turnip greens sweeter?
NC State says turnip roots taste their peak after a frost. Fall sowing also gives greens the cool weather Minnesota links to quality.
Can you eat greens and roots from one plant?
Yes. NC State says root and leaves are edible raw or cooked.
Which turnips suit spring greens?
Maryland Extension names Alamo as a bolt resistant turnip for spring sowing.
How tall should greens be at harvest?
Illinois Extension says to cut tops at 4 to 6 inches tall.
Does dry soil make turnips bitter?
Minnesota Extension says drought stress can make turnips bitter or woody.
