How Far Apart to Plant Turnips
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GardenSays
Your 8×4 ft garden plot fits 38 turnips at 5-inch spacing.
- Between plants
- 5 in
- Rows
- 2 @ 24 in
- Total plants
- 38
Turnips need 3-6 inches between plants, in rows 18-30 inches apart so you can walk between them. At the 5-inch midpoint, that's 19 per row and 2 rows — 38 plants.
Calculated result · 1 verified source · Checked 2026-07-18 · How we decide
Why
Crowding is the most common spacing mistake: closer planting doesn't add yield, it adds shade, disease pressure, and small fruit. When in doubt, use the wider end of the range.
- Air circulation between mature plants is the cheapest disease prevention there is.
- Roots spread wider than the plant looks in June — spacing is set for August size.
When this doesn't apply
- Compact turnips can take the tight end of the range; large or vigorous ones want the wide end.
- Square-foot gardening compresses further than these numbers — it trades yield per plant for yield per bed and needs diligent feeding.
How this was calculated
- 1. In-row spacing5 in
Turnip: 3-6 inches between plants (extension guidance); midpoint used
- 2. Row layout19/row × 2 rows
Rows 18-30 inches apart (midpoint 24 in) so you can walk and harvest: 96÷5 per row, 48÷24 rows
- 3. Total38 plants
19 × 2
Data sources
- University of Minnesota Extension — Growing turnips and rutabagas in home gardens — Plant seeds 1-2 inches apart in rows 18-30 inches apart; thin turnips to 3-6 inches between plants. (checked 2026-07-18)
What changes this answer
Layout
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People also ask
When should I plant turnips?
Direct-sow turnips outside Apr 19 – Apr 26 — they shrug off frost. Calculate yours →
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