How to Grow Turnip in New Zealand

A cool-season crop that suits autumn through early spring in the warm north. Both root and greens are edible, with the tops delicious sauteed in garlic. Direct sow, as turnips dislike transplanting, and harvest young for the sweetest flavour.

When to plant turnip in New Zealand

Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:

Region	When to sow or plant
Northland	January, February, March, April, August, September, October
Auckland	January, February, March, April, August, September, October
Waikato & BoP	January, February, March, April, August, September, October
Wellington	January, February, March, April, August, September, October
Nelson & Marlborough	January, February, March, April, August, September, October
Canterbury	January, February, March, April, August, September, October
Otago & Southland	January, February, March, April, August, September, October
Central Otago	January, February, March, April, August, September, October

Best turnip varieties for NZ

Purple Top White Globe — Classic purple-shouldered turnip with sweet white flesh. (Yates NZ, Mr Fothergill's NZ, Mitre 10)
Tokyo Cross F1 — Fast, uniform white roots best pulled small and tender. (Mr Fothergill's NZ, Kings Seeds)
Hakurei — Sweet, mild salad turnip lovely eaten raw. (Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds)

How to grow turnip

Space plants about 15cm apart.
Sow seed around 1cm deep.
Position: full sun.
Ready to harvest in roughly 55 days.
Seeds germinate in about 5 days.

Companion planting

Grow turnip near: Peas, Lettuce, Onion, Nasturtium.

Pests and problems

Watch for: White butterfly, Aphids, Flea beetle. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.

For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Turnip plant page.

FAQ

When is the best time to plant turnip in New Zealand?

In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, February, March, April, August, September, October. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.

Where can I buy turnip seeds or plants in NZ?

Try Yates NZ, Mr Fothergill's NZ, Mitre 10.