How do you plant purple top turnips for deer? For turnip seeds to germinate, minimum soil temperatures must reach 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Under ideal growing conditions, they'll grow very fast and can reach maturity in 50-80 days. For hunting season, plant late summer in the north or early fall in the south. Click to see full answer.
When to plant turnips and radishes for deer?
To get a good stand of radishes you can:
- broadcast them on top of your summer plot at 5-6 lbs per acre
- plant as above using a cultipacker
- turnips can be drilled at 1/2″ with other seeds – when in a cover crop mix, use only about 3-4 lbs per acre
When is the best time to plant turnips?
- Upon finding that the turnip plants are grown to 4 inches, they must be thinned such that the developing turnips are within 4 inches apart. ...
- It is also recommended to plant the turnips at 10-day intervals so that they can be harvested every few weeks during the season.
- Caution must also be exercised to ensure that the beds are kept weed-free. ...
What is the best soil type for turnips?
Watch your garden’s water needs as warm, dry conditions settle in
- Irrigation. Here’s the dilemma: The warm, dry weather means we need to water more often than in a “normal” year.
- Manage water. Gutters filled with leaves and debris overflow when it rains, beating up the plants below, so clean the gutters now.
- Prepare for cold. ...
- Fruit trees. ...
- Prune ornamentals. ...
- Care for potted plants. ...
- Plant ornamentals. ...
- Edible gardens. ...
- Mulch. ...
What are the best tips for turnip planting?
- Grow turnips in rich, well-drained soil high in organic matter.
- Keep soil evenly moist throughout the growing season to keep turnips from becoming woody.
- Mulch soil to preserve moisture and prevent weeds.
- Although turnips prefer cool weather, they do best with at least 6 hours of sun. Turnips will tolerate partial shade.
When should I plant turnips for deer?
Turnips grow fairly quickly and reach maturity in 75 to 90 days. They grow well in both southern and northern climates. Turnips can be planted in late summer in northern climates or early fall in the southern states.
How late can you plant purple top turnips?
You must plant them so that you have 45 to 65 days before daytime temperatures reach 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, sow them in late summer for a fall harvest after high temperatures have passed, or in regions with cooler summers, sow them every two weeks through the middle of the summer for a continuous yield.
How do you plant turnips for deer plots?
3:515:11Plot 3-Turnips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just drilled. The stump right down to the ground and that's where I'm standing right now. WeMoreAnd just drilled. The stump right down to the ground and that's where I'm standing right now. We brought in the disc arrow we brought in the backhoe. We look we've had to take a whole bunch of rocks
How many pounds of turnips do you plant per acre?
2-5 pounds per acrePLANTING INFORMATIONPlanting Rate:April-August (April-June; Mid July-August)Approximate Seeds per Pound:220,000Planting Rate in Pure Stand:2-5 pounds per acrePlanting Rate in Mixture:1-2 pounds per acre3 more rows
What is best fertilizer for turnips?
Feed turnip plants with natural fertilizer containing potassium and phosphorous, such as compost tea, for good root development. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers like manure, which can give turnips an unpleasant flavor.
Should you soak turnip seeds 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.
How late can I plant turnips?
Soil, Planting, and Care Set out turnip green plants 2 to 4 weeks before the last frost in spring and from late August to October for a fall crop in most areas.
How do you plant turnips?
0:453:37How to Grow Lots of Turnips from Seed to Harvest - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAfter six weeks turnips are completely visible growing under the soil. Turnips are a cool weatherMoreAfter six weeks turnips are completely visible growing under the soil. Turnips are a cool weather crop plant turnips in fall or autumn or in spring to week before the last frost.
How do you spread turnip seeds?
0:511:37Planting From Seeds : How to Plant Turnip Seeds - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurnips seeds are best planted in the springtime. About six weeks before your last frost. We'll justMoreTurnips seeds are best planted in the springtime. About six weeks before your last frost. We'll just sprinkle the turnip seeds in here about one inch apart. Cover them lightly.
What kind of soil do turnips like?
slightly acidic soilSoil. Turnips prefer a slightly acidic soil pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.5. Good soil fertility will help them grow quickly. Make sure the soil is well-draining so the roots don't rot.How to Grow Turnips - The Sprucehttps://www.thespruce.com › how-to-grow-turnips-1403468https://www.thespruce.com › how-to-grow-turnips-1403468
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.4 Reasons Why You're Not Shooting Bucks on Your Food Plotshttps://www.outdoorhub.com › stories › 2014/09/02 › fou...https://www.outdoorhub.com › stories › 2014/09/02 › fou...
Do turnips come back every year?
Now Answered. Dill, radishes, arugula, cilantro, broccoli raab, turnips, and any form of mustard will yield mature seeds in time for fall reseeding in most regions if allowed to flower and set seed.Do Turnips Come Back Every Year? Now Answered - Webgardenerhttps://www.webgardner.com › vegetables › do-turnips-co...https://www.webgardner.com › vegetables › do-turnips-co...
What is purple top turnip?
Purple Top Turnips are one of the most widely planted, highly nutritious food plot species grown. Turnips are part of a large family more commonly referred to as Brassicas. This plant family is known for its rapid cool season growth and high yields. The brassica family includes crops such as radish, kale, rutabaga, rapeseed, and broccoli.
How much forage do turnips produce?
Turnips are truly an amazing food plot plant. They are not only high in available protein and highly digestible; they can produce up to 6-8 tons of forage per acre! Like closely related forage radishes, purple top turnips are not affected by light frosts.
Why do deer like purple tops?
The protruding ‘Purple Tops’ are a boon for deer as they stick out above the ground allowing deer better access to graze not only on tops, but also the roots of the plants. Late into winter when all other food sources are gone deer will keep coming back for the turnip roots.
How long does it take for turnips to grow?
Under ideal growing conditions, they’ll grow very fast and can reach maturity in 50-80 days. For hunting season, plant late summer in the north or early fall in the south.
Can you use 12-12-12 for turnips?
An all-purpose fertilizer (such as 12-12-12) can be applied at planting but for best results, conduct a soil test prior to applying any fertilizer for the best rate recommendations. Purple Top Turnips in your food plots will not disappoint.
Can purple top turnips be grown alone?
Purple Top Turnips can be grown alone or in a mixture and require minimal growing effort with excellent results. They are adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, but prefer fertile, loamy soils with a pH range between 6.0 to 7.5.
Do turnips have more leaves than roots?
Some varieties of turnips produce more leaves than roots, whereas Purple Top Turnips are known more for their roots. ‘Purple Top’ comes from the fact that the shoulders of the round roots stick out above the soil line and turn purple, while the below ground root stays white.
Why are turnips good for deer?
Why are turnips so great for deer? . It’s a fact that deer absolutely love to raid gardens, and one of the things on their shopping list is turnips, because turnips give them a great bang for their buck (no pun intended).
How long does it take for turnips to grow?
That being said, you can expect turnips to reach maturity between 75 - 90 days. Keep this time frame in mind, so your crops will be ready for deer season.
Can deer eat taproot?
If this happens, you have the best of both worlds — you’re bating in a deer, and you get to eat the taproot. In addition to the fact that deer love the taste of turnips, they’re high in protein, so they’re very beneficial to the deer. Even though turnips are about 20% protein, they’re easily digestible for deer.
Is it hard to grow turnips?
Honestly, it’s not that hard at all. Turnips are extremely versatile, and can practically be grown on any type of soil. Turnips are also a very high yield crop, so you’ll have tons of turnips on your hands before you know it.
Can you grow turnips in a garden?
Of course, you can grow whatever you like in your garden. I mean, turnips aren’t the only thing you’ll find in my garden, and they’re not the only crop that deer enjoy to munch down on. Therefore, I suggest you grow all the veggies you like.
How To Grow Purple Top Turnips
Working the soil in the garden till it is loose is a good idea. If needed, supplement with compost to create fairly productive conditions in a well-drained region with a pH of 5.5 to 6.8 and full sunlight to partial shade.
Benefits Of Purple Top Turnips
In your vegetable crops, Purple Top Turnips will not let you down. They’re simple to grow and maintain, and they give a nice crop for deer to munch during the fall and winter hunting seasons.
Why are purple top turnips good for deer?
The purple tops are great because they stick out of the ground enough that the deer have easy access to them. It makes it so that the deer can easily eat the tops and then also eat the roots. If you choose to plant purple top turnips in your food plot, then you’ll be able to get very good results overall.
How hot do turnips need to be to grow?
Turnips grow really well when they’re given full sunlight, and they generally like temperatures that range between 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why spread turnips out?
Spreading turnips out properly will be important when you want them to grow as well as they can. When turnips are crowded, it makes it so that the roots will be smaller than usual. Sometimes crowding can even lead to really bad results such as the roots becoming malformed.
How long does it take for turnips to grow?
Turnips are going to need approximately fifty-five days from the time you seed them until they reach maturity.
Why are turnips good for humans?
They can be good for feeding livestock, but humans like to eat turnips as well. These are good to grow because they’re high in fiber and have lots of vitamins. They can be a great source of iron, calcium, folate, and thiamine. Although planting turnips ...
Can deer eat turnips?
There are a large number of different turnip varieties, and deer will eat turnips pretty much no matter what. Even so, some turnip types are going to be easy for the deer to eat. Purple tops might be the best choice to put in your food plot because they’ll be easy for the deer to get to.
Do turnip tops taste bitter?
Before the turnip tops have matured, they’re going to taste a bit bitter, and this might be off-putting to the deer. Once the first frost sets in, the turnip tops are going to start to become sweet. The turnip leaves stick around during the winter, and it gives the local deer something that they can eat.
How many lbs of turnips per acre?
plant as above using a cultipacker. turnips can be drilled at 1/2″ with other seeds – when in a cover crop mix, use only about 3-4 lbs per acre.
What is the best crop to cover for winter?
collards – great for summer cover crop mixes. hybrids – tunip/rape cross – very good leaf production. rape – small and not as large leaved. canola – goes to flower early in spring with pretty flowers. kale – very tough and cold tolerant but not as palatable = good to add into a mix for winter.
How to plant brassicas in a stand?
If you are using a pure stand of them, here are the steps to planting a good stand of turnips: till the soil surface. use a cultipacker to firm the seedbed. apply 4-5 pounds of seed per acre.
Can you plant brassicas with a drill?
Although brassicas can be planted with a seed drill when using a cover crop mix or broadcast and cultipacked, the very best way is to use a Brillion seeder. The Brillion seeder is the sure way to get an even seeding rate and set the seeds exactly where they need to be. Farmers use them to plant clovers, alfalfa and small seeds like brassicas.
Do brassicas drill down into the soil?
The large leaves shade out winter annual and biennial weeds like thistles. Brassicas, especially radishes drill down into the soil with a large taproot, condition ing soil and placing holes that water can infiltrate in spring. Also, after summer, food plot will be going downhill or deer will have eaten it to the ground.
Do deer eat brassicas?
There is a lot written about turnips and radishes, or brassicas in general. The common knowledge out there is that brassicas get planted for fall and deer only eat them after the frost. However, brassicas do well in spring depending on what species and how you plant them.
What are turnips in the garden?
Turnips are in a group of plants called brassicas, which includes radishes, turnips, cauliflower, rape and kale. Turnips are a cool-season annual that are extremely high in protein and highly digestible to deer. Protein content can range from 15 to 20 percent in both the leaves and the roots.
How small should turnip seed be?
Seed can be broadcast and then lightly dragged in with a disk or chain harrow. Turnip seed is very small and should not be buried more than about 1/8 to 1/4 inch. I usually run my cultipacker over the food plot after dragging in the seed to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.
Why are turnip leaves so sweet?
This is primarily because younger leaves tend to be bitter while older leaves have converted more starch into sugars, which makes them sweeter and more attractive to deer. This often means that turnip leaves are still around in winter and fill a potential nutrition gap for whitetails in that season.
Do turnips grow with age?
Unlike cereal grains and other forage crops, the fiber content of brassica plants does not increase with age. This means that they stay extremely digestible to deer throughout the growing season.
Can you plant brassicas with turnips?
They can also be planted in combination with other forages such as clovers, chicory or some type of cereal grain. Turnips and other brassicas tend to grow as large, wide, leafy plants that can crowd and shade out other plants, so if you plant them in a blend like this, cut your turnip seeding rate down to 2 lbs./acre.
