Question

Why did farmers started to grow turnip and clover?

Answer 1

The European peasants had discovered that planting crops like clover and turnip improved the soil and made it more fertile. Turnip was a good fodder crop for cattle. These crops had the capacity to increase the nitrogen content of the soil. Nitrogen was important for crop growth. Cultivation of the same soil over a few years depleted the nitrogen in the soil and reduced its fertility. By restoring nitrogen, turnip and clover made the soil fertile once again.