In article , Steve B
writes
This might sound like a very basic question, but....

This year I'm trying to grow some vegetables. One of the first I've planted
was a row of turnips. They grew fine until a about a week ago, now several
of them have suddenly shot up to about three feet tall and have some
'flowers' on the top. Have these 'bolted' What should I do? All my gardening
books don't mention this.

Yes, your turnips have bolted - i.e. they are running to seed. It means
that the root will not develop any further, and unfortunately there is
little you can do about it now. You could try one or two of the roots to
see if they are edible, but they usually become hard and woody. Those
which are not bolting may continue growing properly, so you could give
them more space by taking out all of the bolting plants.

There are several possible reasons for turnips bolting. Seed should be
started in situ where the plant is to grow - if seedlings are raised,
then planted out, they will be likely to bolt. Erratic access to
sufficient moisture can be another cause - ground too wet, then too dry,
then too wet again. Another reason can be trying to push the plants on
too early with too many nutrients - they prefer to grow on steadily at
their own pace. There is also the possibility of distorted growing if
they have been sown in soil used previously for brassicas - turnips are
in the same family and can react to the same diseases.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.