When to harvest turnips?

[pjh75]

I sowed purple top milan direct in the ground on 5th May... I haven't thinned them out as I thought I would start to harvest as babies and reduce the need to thin; however I don't know when to do this. A couple of them are about an inch in diameter, is that big enough or is it too early? I would base it on what I see in the shops, but I have never bought or cooked a turnip.

[Capsid]

I eat them when they are about the diameter of a tennis ball. You could eat them smaller, but if you only have two then it won't be much of a meal.

[Alice]

PJH you can eat your turnips any size you like. If you want to pull them at 1" and enjoy then go for it. I pull them small like that - every second one (The thinnings) It leaves more space for the others to grow in. Just cook them whole - or they are so tender you can enjoy them raw.

[sewer rat]

I sowed purple top milan direct in the ground on 5th May... I haven't thinned them out as I thought I would start to harvest as babies and reduce the need to thin; however I don't know when to do this. A couple of them are about an inch in diameter, is that big enough or is it too early? I would base it on what I see in the shops, but I have never bought or cooked a turnip.

You can pull and eat them anywhere between golf ball and tennis ball size - though I ouwldn't let them get much bigger than tennis ball size.

[pjh75]

Thanks all... that gives me some options. Just need to look up how to cook them now .

[TrishY]

Just need to look up how to cook them now .

I like carrot and turnip mashed together yum - potato and turnip mash is good too