When do the deer usually start eating them? I notice they are eating the tops but not the turnip itself.
Usually when all of the tops are gone or when it gets colder and their food supply is limited. They will start pawing to get them up
They have a lot of other things to eat right now besides the turnips. Most of which are above turnips on the favorites list, like acorns, grain left in the field, apples, persimmons. Turnips are usually a late season food supply unless they are the only thing around.
Turnips become very sweet after the first good hard freeze or the first couple freezes. Once the deer get a taste of this sweet turnip they will start to kill them, it becomes like candy to them.
the deer are pounding my turnip bulbs and tops. however we have had two nights down around 22 degrees which makes them really attractive!
Wait till some snow is on the ground or like said after some really hard frosts or mid winter. This year I planted some radishs and the deer have the leaves all gone and now are eating the radish part sticking out of the ground. Is this the first year planting brassicas/turnips on your property? Some people find deer take a little while to get used to them.
I have noticed this as well, sometimes it takes deer a bit to catch on to what turnips are if they have not had them available before. I have planted them for three years now, and they have taken to them little by little. I think it will make a difference as well if food sources are more limited than they were in the past years. Obviously the deer are going to eat their favorite foods they are used to if they are available.
