COLUMBIA, Mo. – An old Missouri saying advises, “On the 25th of July, sow your turnips, wet or dry,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
This adage sprang into the national spotlight during Harry S. Truman’s presidency.
“Evidently, the congressional session of 1948 was a particularly rancorous one, with the GOP-dominated Congress refusing to pass any of President Truman’s initiatives,” said Trinklein. Truman called a special session to begin on “what we in Missouri call Turnip Day—July 25.”
The tactic failed when Congress refused to pass any of Truman’s initiatives during the Turnip Day Session (which actually began July 26). However, it reminded the public that late July is a good time to plant turnips in Missouri.
Turnip has been grown since prehistoric times. It was a common crop during Greek and Roman eras. Roman naturalist and philosopher Pliny the Elder called it “animal fodder.” Members of the upper class turned up their noses at the food of animals and poor people.
By the 18th century, turnip grew throughout Europe’s cooler climes as an integral part of its food chain and culture.
French explorer Jacques Cartier gets credit for bringing turnip to America in 1541. Colonists grew it in Virginia as early as 1609. Native Americans grew it widely.
Gardeners grow it for its edible storage root and leaves. The biennial plant grows and enlarges its root during the first year. During its second year, it flowers, bears seeds and dies.
Turnip prefers cooler weather, Trinklein said. Heat makes turnip roots fibrous and pungent. Gardeners often plant turnip as a succession crop. It also makes a good companion for corn.
See also .223 Remington vs .30-30 Winchester Ammo Comparison - Ballistics Info & Chart Caliber Ballistics Comparison 07 Dec, 2018 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors The following ammunition cartridge ballistics information and chart can be used to approximately compare .223 Remington vs .30-30 Winchester ammo rounds. Please note, the following information reflects the estimated average ballistics for each caliber and does not pertain to a particular manufacturer, bullet weight, or jacketing type. As such, the following is for comparative information purposes only and should not be used to make precise predictions of the trajectory, performance, or true ballistics of any particular .223 Remington or .30-30 Winchester rounds for hunting, target shooting, plinking, or any other usage. The decision for which round is better for a given application should be made with complete information, and this article simply serves as a comparative guide, not the final say. For more detailed ballistics information please refer to the exact round in question or contact the manufacturer for the pertinent information. True .223 Remington and .30-30 Winchester ballistics information can vary widely from the displayed information, and it is important to understand that the particular characteristics of a given round can make a substantive difference in its true performance. Caliber Type Velocity (fps) Energy (ft-lb) .223 Remington Rifle 3150 1250 .30-30 Winchester Rifle 2370 1890 [Click Here to Shop .223 Remington Ammo] [Click Here to Shop .30-30 Winchester Ammo] VelocityAs illustrated in the chart, .223 Remington rounds - on average - achieve a velocity of about 3150 feet per second (fps) while .30-30 Winchester rounds travel at a velocity of 2370 fps. To put this into perspective, a Boeing 737 commercial airliner travels at a cruising speed of 600 mph, or 880 fps. That is to say, .223 Remington bullets travel 3.6 times the speed of a 737 airplane at cruising speed, while .30-30 Winchester bullets travel 2.7 times that same speed.Various calibersEnergyFurthermore, the muzzle energy of a .223 Remington round averages out to 1250 ft-lb, while a .30-30 Winchester round averages out to about 1890 ft-lb. One way to think about this is as such: a foot-pound is a unit of energy equal to the amount of energy required to raise a weight of one pound a distance of one foot. So a .223 Remington round exits the barrel with kinetic energy equal to the energy required for linear vertical displacement of 1250 pounds through a one foot distance, while a .30-30 Winchester round exiting the barrel has energy equal to the amount required to displace 1890 pounds over the same one foot distance. As a rule of thumb, when it comes to hunting, muzzle energy is what many hunters look at when deciding on what caliber of firearm / ammunition to select. Generally speaking, the higher the muzzle energy, the higher the stopping power. Again, the above is for comparative information purposes only, and you should consult the exact ballistics for the particular .223 Remington or .30-30 Winchester cartridge you're looking at purchasing. [Buy .223 Remington Ammo] [Buy .30-30 Winchester Ammo] Please click the above links to take a look at all of the .223 Remington and .30-30 Winchester ammo we have in stock and ready to ship, and let us know any parting thoughts in the comment section below.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 1 Comments Bruce Barbaro - Jun 02, 2022Why have a web sight for ammo when YOUR OUT OF STOCK ON EVERYTHING.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment
Like most root crops, turnip prefers light soils. Heavy clay soils slow root growth and cause poorly shaped roots. Fertilize turnip in its early stages. Apply 1 pound of 5-10-5 garden fertilizer for each 100 square feet of soil, Trinklein said. Additional fertilizer may not be needed if turnip is planted in the garden following a crop that did well.
“In this sense, turnip is a good ‘cleanup’ crop to make full use of fertilizer applied to the garden during a growing season,” Trinklein said.
Broadcast turnip seeds over soil or plant in rows 12-15 inches apart. Lightly cover seeds with soil. “If seeds are broadcast over the soil’s surface, a light raking after planting usually is sufficient to cover them,” he said. Water lightly until seeds germinate.
Crop rotation helps prevent common pest and disease problems.
Harvesting and storage of turnip varies. Some gardeners pull leaves and roots when roots are about 2 inches in diameter, then bind them in a bunch.
If harvesting for roots only, wait until the roots are at least 3 inches in diameter.
Turnip can withstand freezing temperatures. However, harvest before soil freezes to avoid cracks and decay, Trinklein said.
Store turnip roots at temperatures slightly above freezing (32-35 F) in refrigerators, if space is available. Consider an unheated basement or outdoor pit for large amounts. To bury outdoors, put turnips in a waterproof container placed in a slanted position. Put the lid on lightly to allow air to circulate. Cover with straw and a thin layer of soil.
Several turnip varieties grow well in Missouri. Purple Top White Globe forms a root shaped like a flattened globe with a purple top and creamy-white interior. It produces edible 4-inch roots about 60 days after seeding. Tokyo Cross is a faster-maturing variety that produces 2-inch roots in 30 days. Another Missouri favorite, Golden Ball, needs 70 days to produce golden-yellow roots that are sweet and flavorful.
Writer: Linda Geist
