Root vegetable
Can you grow Turnip on a balcony?
Brassica rapa
Yes — grows well in pots
Turnip (Brassica rapa) grows well on a balcony in a pot of at least 20 litres (about 30 cm deep). It needs full sun — around 6+ hours of direct sun a day. Greens within a month; roots ready in as little as 6 weeks (some spring types in ~35 days), best harvested young. All figures below are sourced from RHS and the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Sun
☀️ Full sun (6+ h)
Min. pot
20 L · 30 cm
Water
Medium
Difficulty
Easy
Hardiness
Annual
Container fit
Good
Sow
Main sowing March to mid-August (February under cloches); scatter thinly, cover with 2cm compost, thin to 10cm apart for mini-roots
Harvest
Greens within a month; roots ready in as little as 6 weeks (some spring types in ~35 days), best harvested young
Good companions: Peas
Balcony tip: Sow in a large pot at least 40cm wide for a crop of mini-roots; grows best in cool conditions in moisture-retentive compost
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Häufige Fragen
What size pot does Turnip need?
Turnip needs a container of at least 20 litres, roughly 30 cm deep. Bigger pots dry out more slowly and give better yields on a balcony.
How much sun does Turnip need on a balcony?
Turnip wants full sun — about 6+ hours of direct sun daily. Match it to your balcony's aspect before buying seed.
When do you sow Turnip?
Main sowing March to mid-August (February under cloches); scatter thinly, cover with 2cm compost, thin to 10cm apart for mini-roots. Timing shifts with your climate/USDA zone — the linked sources give the detail.
Sources & date
- RHS: Turnip
- Old Farmer's Almanac: Turnip
- Data as of: 2026-07-10
- Container sizes and timings are guidance — adjust to your climate/USDA zone and balcony aspect.