Purple Top White Globe Turnip

I started with Purple Top White Globe Turnip (Brassica rapa) seeds from the Seed Savers Exchange. I planted them directly into the garden 1/4" deep and 4-6" apart. This variety of Turnip has been widely used since before 1880 and produces uniform 6" smooth white globes that are best for eating when 3-4" in diameter. They have a sweet mild fne-grained white flesh and a bright purple and white exterior. Turnips are biennial and will cross-polinate, so seperate by 1 mile from other turnips when going to seed the second year.

Growing Tips: Turnips prefer cool weather and full sun. Soil should be kept moist but not wet. Turnips are companion plants to onions and peas and can be planted near them.

Starting from Seed: Sow seeds as soon as soil can be prepared in the Spring or late July or early August (for a fall-winter crop). Plant seeds 1/4" - 1/2" deep, 2" between seeds in rows that are 24" apart. Thin to 4-6" between plants.

Harvesting: Turnips mature in 45-65 days and should be harvested when they reach 3" in diameter.