When to Plant Turnip in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Sow February to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next sowing month is February.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Turnip guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Turnip

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Turnips are a fast-growing, cool-season root crop that matures in 6-10 weeks. Both the root and the nutritious leafy tops (turnip greens) are edible. They are easier and faster than swedes, making them a better choice for warmer Australian zones where swedes struggle. An underrated vegetable that deserves a place in every winter garden.

Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- D D D D D D D - - - -

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Turnip sowing time in Alice Springs?

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 7–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Turnip in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

Plant March-August. Cool-season crop only. Summer heat makes turnip growing impossible.

Soil
Well-drained, fertile loam with good moisture retention. Avoid heavy clay or compacted soil which causes misshapen roots. Prepare with well-rotted compost.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun to light shade
Spacing
12cm apart, 30cm between rows
Watering
Consistent, even moisture is critical. Irregular watering produces woody, pithy, bitter roots. Water deeply 2-3 times per week in dry conditions.

Companion plants: Pea, Onion, Garlic, Nasturtium (trap crop for aphids)

Avoid planting near: Other brassicas (shared pests and diseases), Strawberry

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Turnip

Recommended Varieties

  • Purple Top Milan
  • Tokyo Cross
  • Hakurei

Key Challenges

  • Summer heat
  • Maintaining moisture
  • Roots become pithy in heat stress

Pro Tips

  • Grow as a winter crop only
  • Consistent irrigation essential
  • Harvest young and small for best quality

Harvesting Turnip

When ready: Roots are 5-8cm diameter (golf ball to tennis ball size) for best flavour. Shoulder visible at soil level. Harvest EARLY - turnips become woody, pithy, and bitter if left too long.

How to harvest: Grasp foliage near crown and pull. Water bed beforehand if soil is dry. For larger winter types, loosen soil with a fork first.

Worth growing?

A 2.4 m × 1.2 m bed fits 46 plants, about $69 worth at today’s Coles prices, checked today.

That is roughly 9 kg at $7.50 a kilo.

Draw your turnip bed → No account needed.

Where to next

What turnip costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Chilli Peppers, Lemongrass and Beetroot.

The pest most likely to find your turnip: Cabbage White Butterfly.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $7.50/kg (12-month range: $7.00–$7.50)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Turnip

When do you plant turnip in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does turnip grow all year round in Alice Springs?

No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Feb to Aug. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.