When to Plant Turnip in Cairns, Tropical Guide

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

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 Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs 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 Tropical

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Turnip sowing time in Cairns?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Tropical zone right now, Turnip included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 21.4°C (optimal range: 7–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

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

How to Grow Turnip in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant March-July (dry/cool season). Turnips bolt quickly in tropical heat. Choose fast-maturing varieties and harvest young.

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

Tropical Growing Tips for Turnip

Recommended Varieties

  • Purple Top Milan (fast)
  • Tokyo Cross (heat-tolerant)
  • Hakurei (Japanese salad type)

Key Challenges

  • Rapid bolting in heat
  • Caterpillar pressure
  • Roots become woody quickly in warmth

Pro Tips

  • Plant in the coolest months only
  • Harvest young (6-8 weeks) before heat causes bolting
  • Japanese salad types (Hakurei, Tokyo Cross) are more heat-tolerant

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 tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

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.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

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 Cairns?

No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Apr to Jun. 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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.