How to Plant, Grow, and Care for ‘Market Express’ Turnips

Turnips have a name for themselves as bitter, hard root vegetables that must be boiled and mashed with plenty of seasoning and butter to make them taste like anything. Well, that is far from the truth with the new types of turnips to grow, like ‘Market Express’. These turnips are pure white round roots with a fresh, crunchy flavor like a sweet radish that can be eaten raw.

Like all Brassicas, this turnip likes cool climates. In as little as 30 days, you can harvest the first crop of baby roots and, in another 10 days, the full-sized versions, which will be about four to five inches in diameter. Don’t leave out the green tops; they are edible, too, with a mild spicy flavor that can be used in many dishes, including stew and stir-fries.

In Scotland, turnips or swedes are called ‘neeps’ and often accompany ‘tatties’ (potatoes) to be served with the traditional Scottish haggis. Tatties and neeps are often cooked together in a pot of boiling water until soft and then mashed with seasoning and butter to serve as the traditional side dish of the land. Turnips like ‘Market Express’ can also be cooked in the same way.

Plant Overview

Plant Type Biennial root vegetable Family Brassicaceae Genus Rapa Species Brassica rapa ‘Market Express’	Native Area North Africa, Middle East, Southern Europe Exposure Full sun to partial shade Height 6-12” Watering Requirements Regular	Pests & Diseases Aphids, root maggot, downy mildew Maintenance Low Soil Type Well-draining Hardiness Zone 2-11

What Are ‘Market Express’ Turnips?

Inspired by Japanese market turnips, this cold-tolerant crop produces small, round, pure white roots with a crunchy, sweet, radish-like flavor. This variety is known for its abundant green leaves, which can be used like any other salad ingredient or herb. Turnips are often cultivated as a forage crop for wildlife and livestock, and this variety is particularly good because of its leafy growth.

Native Area

The original strain of Brassica rapa was found in North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. It was domesticated many centuries ago as an edible vegetable. The crop was an important part of the ancient Roman diet and was cultivated first in northern Europe. It then spread to China, Japan, and, finally, the rest of the world.

Characteristics

Brassica rapa shares characteristics with the other brassicas in the family, like cabbages, cauliflower, and mustard, with similar leaves and flowers. The fuzzy green leaves of ‘Market Express’ look similar to mustard greens.

The roots are a good source of vitamin C, and the greens are full of healthy calcium, vitamin E, and folic acid, which is important for cell growth and function. This variety has round white roots with smooth skin.

Planting

Sow ‘Market Express’ in spring or late summer. It is best to sow seed directly into well-prepared beds rather than in trays as they don’t like their roots disturbed. Sow seed two to four weeks before the last average frost date or when the soil temperature reaches 50°F (10°C). For a bumper harvest, succession sow seed every two weeks.

For warmer climates, sow seed in the fall and grow as a cool-season crop as with any other brassicas.

‘Market Express’ will germinate within seven to fourteen days and will be fully mature in 45-50 days. Baby roots can be harvested as early as 30 days.

How to Grow

Although these turnips are very straightforward to grow, there are a few things to note to achieve the best results. Let’s look at what they prefer:

Light

‘Market Express’ needs full sun to grow well but can also tolerate partial shade. In hot climates, it will prefer the cool soil of a partially shaded area or to be grown in the cooler months of fall and winter. In colder USDA zones 2 and 3, giving them a sunny spot in the garden would be best. They like at least six to eight hours of sunlight a day.

Water

As long as the soil is well-draining, water frequently to keep the soil evenly moist. Overwatering can damage the roots, but a lack of water is equally bad. A balance of watering is required. Generally, when it’s not raining, provide one inch of water per week.

Soil

Turnips prefer well-draining, light, and friable soil to build good roots. If you have clay-type soil, add plenty of organic materials like compost and well-rotted manure to improve drainage. Turnips also prefer a pH soil level between 6.0 and 7.0.

Temperature

It is best to sow seed for ‘Market Express’ when the soil temperature is between 65° and 80°F (18-27°C). They are frost-tolerant and can cope with temperatures down to 28°F and as high as 86°F (-2-30°C).

Fertilizing

Preparing poor soil at the sowing stage with extra compost will be enough for growing ‘Market Express’ turnips. However, if the performance is less than desirable, include a feeding schedule to increase vigor. Use a balanced organic fertilizer and feed after the seeds are established and every three to four weeks during the growing season.

Maintenance

‘Market Express’ turnips don’t require any maintenance. It’s best to harvest the roots before they get old and woody. If they have not been harvested soon after they’re fully mature, pull them all and add them to the compost heap. Look out for any pests and diseases, and that’s all that is required.

Propagation

‘Market Express’ can only be propagated by seed. Sow the seed in well-prepared beds so as not to disturb the roots. Prepare the soil by removing weeds or stones and tilling to make it loose and friable. Add compost if necessary to improve soil structure and drainage. Rake the area to provide a good surface with which to work.

Sow seed in rows a quarter to half an inch deep, one inch apart, and spaced 12-18 inches apart. Cover and press down. Water the seeds, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Too much water may cause the seed to rot before it germinates.

Once the seeds have grown to where they can be handled, thin them out so that the final spacing between plants is four to six inches apart. Add a layer of mulch to conserve water and suppress weeds. Keep watering regularly.

Harvesting

Harvest the roots 30 days after sowing the seed to use as baby vegetables. These can be eaten fresh or cooked just like any other turnip variety. The bulbs should be firm and white to cream in color.

Avoid any bulbs that are overripe or woody. Young turnips will be around two to three inches in diameter. As the bulbs get bigger, they will be better if cooked and not eaten raw. You can be assured of smaller baby roots for longer by sowing seeds in intervals.

Harvest the leafy greens when they are 12-18 inches tall, but not more than 25% at a time, so that the roots have enough green tops to build better bulbs. Greens can be harvested around four to six weeks after sowing seed and cut down to the ground with a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears. They will more than likely grow again for another harvest.

Storage

Baby turnips can be pickled to keep their crunch. The leaves are best harvested and eaten fresh, while the roots can be stored in a cool, dry place or the refrigerator for several weeks.

Common Problems

Overwatering newly sown seeds may prevent germination. This will go hand in hand with ensuring the soil is well-draining. Otherwise, these turnips are really easy, with limited issues.

As with all other vegetables and plants in general, look out for any pests and diseases that may attack your crop and deal with them straight away so as not to infect other plants in the garden.

Pests

Aphids are common sucking insects that may find the leafy greens as attractive feasting spots. Plant flowering plants nearby, especially trap plants like nasturtiums, which can direct aphids away from the greens and encourage beneficial predators like ladybirds.

You can remove heavily infested leaves if you notice aphids congregating on them, though. Leave at least a few so the plant can continue to photosynthesize. 

When you harvest the roots and find holes and tunnels in your bulbs, it may be root maggots. These small larvae are particularly fond of brassica varieties. The best way to control these maggots, which are adult flies, is to keep the area around the turnips free of debris, use floating row covers, and practice crop rotation for all the brassicas in the garden.

Diseases

In the disease category, look out for downy mildew that will cover the leaves in whitish-to-yellow mold and eventually cause the plants to die off. Use the correct spacing for plants to give them enough airflow between plants and keep the area around them debris-free.

This fungal disease is more common in cool, wet conditions. Infected leaves must be removed and destroyed. Don’t add to compost.

Frequently Asked Questions