Turnips are a root vegetable that most people are familiar with. However some may not know what the turnip plant’s leaves look like. As a gardener I often get questions from beginners about identifying turnip leaves. So in this article, I’ll provide a complete visual guide to turnip leaves, from seedling to maturity.
Turnip Leaf Basics
First, let’s go over some turnip leaf basics Turnip leaves sprout from the top of the rounded, bulbous turnip root as a rosette pattern. The leaves are broad, wrinkled, and have toothed or serrated edges. Leaf color ranges from dark to light green depending on variety Turnip leaves grow upward on light green stems originating from the taproot.
Mature turnip leaves can reach sizes of 12 inches long and 6 inches wide. However, they are often harvested when younger and more tender at around 5-6 inches long Larger, older leaves will taste more bitter.
When buying turnips with leaves still attached, look for perky, fresh green leaves without wilting or yellowing. Avoid bunches with dried out or damaged leaves.
Turnip Leaf Stages
Now, let’s go through the different growth stages of a turnip leaf. This will help you identify them in your garden.
Seedling Stage
When turnip seeds first germinate, the first leaves that emerge are called the cotyledons. These leaves are rounded or spoon-shaped, and thicker than mature leaves. The cotyledons are usually about 1-2 inches across. They help absorb sunlight for the seedling before the first true leaves develop.
After the cotyledons, the first true turnip leaves appear. These early true leaves are smooth, round or oval shaped, and light green in color. They are also smaller than mature turnip leaves at only 2-4 inches long. These juvenile leaves help the plant continue growing before it develops its mature leaf shape.
Developing Stage
As the turnip grows, its leaves transition to their mature form. At this intermediate stage, the leaves elongate from their rounded seedling shape into a more jagged oval shape. The leaves develop deeper lobes and serrations along their edges.
The color also transitions from light green to the deeper green shade of a mature turnip leaf. Leaf sizes at this stage are typically 3-5 inches long as they continue expanding.
Mature Stage
Once the turnip leaf reaches maturity, it will display its defining broad and wrinkled shape. The leaf edges become very deeply serrated compared to younger growth stages. Veins and ribs along the leaf also become more pronounced.
These mature leaves emerge from the turnip taproot as a ring-like rosette pattern. Each full size leaf can grow up to 12 inches long and 6 inches wide. The leaves are attached to light green stems that radiate out from the root.
Flowering Stage
If allowed to flower, turnips produce bright yellow blooms. The leaves remain largely the same as the mature vegetative stage. However, letting turnips flower can divert energy from bulb growth and reduce harvestable roots.
Turnip Leaf Uses
While turnip roots are the commonly eaten portion, the nutritious leaves are also edible. Turnip greens are often cooked by sautéing or simmering until tender, then enjoyed as a nutritious side dish. They can also be eaten raw in salads and other recipes.
They have an earthy, slightly bitter taste that goes well with garlic, onion, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Try turnip greens braised, wilted, or in soups. They make a flavorful, healthy addition to any meal.
How to Grow Turnips for Leaves
If you only want to grow turnips for the leaves, you’ll need to make a few changes to how you normally grow them:
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Plant seeds closer together at 2-4 inches apart to discourage large roots.
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Start harvesting leaves when they reach 4-6 inches long. Take only a few leaves from each plant at a time to encourage regrowth.
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Once you’ve picked two or three leaves, pull the whole plant up and compost the roots if they are tough. Replant for a continuous crop.
If you take good care of your garden, you can get a lot of tasty turnip greens.
Key Takeaways
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Turnip leaves sprout from the round bulb as a rosette and have a wrinkled, serrated appearance.
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Leaf color ranges from light to dark green. Size ranges from 2 inches to 12 inches long when mature.
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Harvest turnip leaves when young and tender. Older leaves become bitter.
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Turnip greens are edible and delicious sautéed, braised, or in soups and salads.
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Adjust planting and harvesting to optimize leaf production over big roots.
Hopefully this gives you a better visual understanding of turnip leaf growth and appearance. With this guide, you can confidently identify turnips at any growth stage. Check your garden for these unique looking leaves, and enjoy eating them as a tasty, nutritious crop.
Now, for cutting them:
- Getting rid of the tough stems is easy. Just lay the greens out flat, fold the leaves in half along the stem, and run a knife down the side to get rid of the thick stem in the middle. Some people like the texture of the smaller stems, so it’s up to you! I love the stems, so I usually leave more in.
- Remove the stems from the greens and stack a few leaves. Roll them up like a cigar and cut them into strips. Don’t be exact; just cut them up into small pieces that are easy to eat. They’ll cook down, so no need to be too fussy.
What meat should I use to season greens?
When it comes to seasoning turnip greens, nothing beats a savory, smokey taste. Ham hocks, bacon, or smoked turkey all work great for this. The important thing to remember is to use smoked meats. That’s what’s going to give you that smoky flavor. You have a few options….
- Smoked pork: Ham hocks are the traditional choice, and they’re also my favorite. They make it taste so rich and smokey, and the meat gets so soft that it falls off the bone. Perfect for those cozy, slow-cooked greens. Smoked pork necks or hog jowls can also be used. These are sometimes called pork cheeks.
- Bacon: Bacon is great for keeping things easy and quick. The bacon grease gives you that smoky flavor. It doesn’t need to be cooked first before putting it in the pot.
- Smoked turkey: If you want something a little lighter, you can try smoked turkey legs, wings, necks, or tails. It tastes just as good, but there isn’t as much fat. Great if you want to stay on the healthier side of things.
How to Grow Lots of Turnips from Seed to Harvest
FAQ
How to identify turnip leaves?
Description/Taste Turnip greens are slender stems, averaging 10 to 30 centimeters in length, that grow in a low-spreading, rosette pattern with 8 to 10, broad and flat leaves. The stems grow directly from the top of the root and are pale green, crunchy, and fibrous.
Can you eat the leaves of turnips?
Yes, turnip leaves, also known as turnip greens, are edible. They can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in various dishes.
When should you not eat turnip greens?
Leaves, if still attached, should be fresh. Choose turnip greens that are fresh and green. Avoid greens that are limp, torn, or bruised.
What’s the difference between turnip and turnip greens?
You guessed it—turnip greens are the dark green leaves of the turnip plant. No, you don’t have to throw them away when you harvest a bunch of turnips—you can use them! Like collard greens, turnip greens have a slightly bitter and sharp taste that gets better when cooked.