This website is best viewed in a browser that supports web standards.

Skip to content or, if you would rather, Skip to navigation.

Listen Live
Donate
MARYVILLE

KXCV-KRNW


News Brief

July 23, 2024 |  By: Jeremy Werner

Thursday is Turnip Day

Turnips

Thursday is a special day in Missouri. The state's old saying, "On the 25th of July, sow your turnips, wet or dry," gained national attention during President Harry S. Truman's term.

The University of Missouri Extension Office explains Truman called a special congressional session in 1948, known as the Turnip Day Session, highlighting late July as a prime time for planting turnips. Turnips, cultivated for thousands of years, thrive when planted in late summer and harvested in cool fall weather. Officials recommend planting turnips in full sun with well-drained soil and watering them weekly. Both the roots and leaves are edible and turn sweeter after a light frost. Turnips can be stored for months in a refrigerator or a makeshift root cellar.

Officials encourage you to add this nutritious vegetable to your garden this season. For more gardening tips, visit the University of Missouri Extension website.