When to plant Turnips in Birmingham

Work the soil to a fine tilth around 30th March - 13th April. Take out large stones and clods. Do not add fresh manure. It makes roots fork. You want loose, well-prepared soil so roots swell evenly.

Sow thinly in shallow drills at 1 cm from 13th April to 2nd July. Sow a small batch every 21 days.

• Water the drill if the soil is dry, and keep seedlings evenly moist. Remove weeds as soon as they appear.
• Water in dry spells or roots can be small and woody. A dry spell then a soak can split them. Plants can also bolt in a dry spell, and in heat or long days.

After each sowing, cover the row with fine mesh and seal the edges. Fine mesh reduces cabbage root fly and flea beetle. Keep it on through 10th September, until that batch is lifted.

• Check seedlings for slug and snail damage, especially in damp weather.

After each sowing, thin to 15 cm apart once they are large enough to handle, around 20th April - 23rd July. Lift the extras gently so you do not disturb the roots you keep.

After each sowing, lift roots from 25th May once they are golf-ball size, for the best texture. Tennis-ball size is good for cooking. Keep picking through 10th September.

• Young leaves are edible. Do not strip plants you are growing for roots.