Turnip

Crisp roots and tender greens for cool-season harvests

Turnip Seeds encompass a diverse selection of cool-season brassicas grown for crisp, mild roots and tender greens. This collection of Turnip Seeds spans snow-white salad turnips, quick baby turnips, classic purple-top types, and treasured heirloom turnips, making a dependable kitchen garden staple. As Brassica rapa subsp. rapa, these root vegetable seeds offer a gentle, sweet bite when lifted young and a fuller, earthy flavor when allowed to size up. Alongside the bulbs, turnip greens provide leafy abundance from the same sowing. From Japanese turnip selections with silky texture to traditional globe roots for roasting, mashing, or pickling, the range supports versatile, everyday cookery while fitting neatly among wider brassica seeds in mixed beds.

Turnip Seeds are typically direct sown outdoors once soil is workable in early spring; in mild climates autumn sowing may be possible. For a steady supply, succession sowing maintains a continuous harvest window, and light thinning of seedlings helps roots swell evenly. Plants perform in full sun to partial shade and appreciate simple protection such as a light row cover during establishment. A frost tolerant vegetable with quick maturing roots, turnips fit well into crop rotation with other brassicas, integrating easily between longer-season crops. Many compact selections also suit larger pots and deep containers, allowing productive growing on patios or balconies as well as in open beds.

Chosen Turnip Seeds support flexible harvest goals: tender baby turnips for raw salads, salad turnips with a crisp, juicy bite, and full-sized bulbs for hearty cooking, while turnip greens keep beds productive between pulls. White turnip seeds and salad turnip seeds broaden texture and flavor across the season for fresh use or simple storage-led recipes. Sensible rotation within brassica plantings contributes to soil resilience and helps with clubroot prevention over successive years, keeping this dependable category performing reliably from early sowings to late-season lifts.

Brassica rapa subsp. rapa (Turnip)

This navigator lists related vegetable categories for comparing crops and cultivation traits. It begins with the broader Vegetables Seeds collection, followed by roots such as radish, black radish, beets, and carrot, plus leafy brassicas and greens. Groupings by growth habit or lifecycle include cabbage vegetables, Asian greens, biennial vegetables, and fast-growing selections. These links support planning from quick harvests to longer-season crops across different garden conditions.

• Vegetables Seeds
• Root Vegetables
• Radish
• Black Radish
• Beets
• Carrot
• Cabbage Vegetables
• Asian Greens
• Biennial Vegetables
• Fast-Growing Vegetables

Brassica rapa subsp. rapa (Turnip)

Turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) are a cool-season crop grown for quick maturing roots and tender turnip greens. Provide full sun to partial shade; they tolerate light shade. Sow these root vegetable seeds directly outdoors as soon as soil is workable in early spring, then use succession sowing through warmer months for autumn lifts; in mild climates, autumn sowing may be possible. Plant in loose, fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture and a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Keep watering steady to avoid pithy bulbs, and thin promptly for even growth and baby turnips or larger salad turnips. A light mulch supports moisture retention, and the plants show useful frost tolerance.

• Full sun; tolerates light shade for greens and roots.
• Direct sow when soil is workable; repeat small sowings for staggered harvests; in mild climates autumn sowing may be possible.
• Soil: loose, fertile, well-drained; keep evenly moist; neutral to slightly acidic pH.
• Suitable for deep containers; use a loose potting mix and maintain consistent moisture for uniform bulbs.
• Edible roots and greens; harvest young for tender salad turnips and mild leaves.

When should I sow turnip seeds after the last frost?

As a cool-season crop, turnip seeds can be direct sown as soon as the soil is workable in early spring, once the ground has thawed and drains freely. They tolerate light frosts, so planting shortly after the last hard frost is common, and some gardeners start slightly earlier under row cover protection. For autumn harvests, plan succession sowing through the warm months, then make the final sowings as nights begin to cool; in mild climates, autumn sowing may be possible. Heat can cause stronger flavors and quicker bolting, so aim for steady, cool growth.

How deep should I plant turnip seeds, how far apart should seedlings be, and how long to germinate?

Sow turnip seeds shallowly, about 0.25–0.5 inch deep, in a fine, firm seedbed to ensure good contact and even moisture. Once seedlings emerge, thin gradually to encourage quick-maturing roots: many growers space plants roughly 2–4 inches apart for salad or baby turnips, a bit wider for larger roots; for harvesting mainly greens, closer spacing is acceptable. Row spacing often ranges from about 10–18 inches, adjusted to tools and beds. Germination is typically quick—often within 4–10 days in warm, moist soil—but may be slower in cooler conditions.

What soil suits turnip seeds best, and how much sun do they need?

Turnip seeds prefer loose, fertile, well-drained soil with consistent moisture, and a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Compacted or stony ground can lead to misshapen roots, so incorporate organic matter and break up clods before sowing. Full sun promotes the fastest growth and sweetest, mild roots, though light shade is tolerated, especially in warmer periods. Keep the top inch of soil evenly moist after sowing to support uniform emergence, then maintain steady watering to avoid checks in growth, which can affect texture and flavor.

Can you grow turnips in containers, and what size pot works?

Container growing suits turnips well, especially for baby or salad types. Choose a wide pot at least 8–12 inches deep with ample drainage, and fill it with a loose, well-draining potting mix enriched with compost. Direct sow thinly, then thin seedlings so roots have room to swell; closer spacing is fine if you’re mainly after tender turnip greens. Place containers where they receive full sun, with some light shade during hot spells, and water consistently—container mixes dry faster than garden soil. Regular, modest feeding supports steady growth without excessive leafiness.

When do you harvest turnip greens vs roots, and how do you keep flavors sweet and mild?

Greens can be cut when young and tender—often when leaves reach about 4–6 inches—taking a few at a time to allow continued growth. For roots, harvest baby turnips at roughly 1–2 inches across and standard types around 2–3 inches, before they become woody. Sweet, mild flavor comes from rapid, uninterrupted growth in cool conditions: practice succession sowing, thin promptly, keep moisture consistent, and avoid over-fertilizing with high nitrogen. Harvest in the cool of the day, and aim for peak maturity rather than oversized roots.

What are common turnip pests and diseases, and how can I reduce problems?

Flea beetles, aphids, slugs, and root maggots are typical pests; lightweight row cover offers good protection for brassica seeds and seedlings, while consistent moisture and clean beds help reduce stress. For diseases, clubroot and mildews are the main concerns; improve drainage, avoid waterlogged soils, and keep pH near neutral to discourage clubroot. Practice crop rotation with all brassicas, ideally for 3–4 years, remove plant debris after harvest, and avoid moving soil from affected beds. Healthy, quick-growing plants are the best defense against most issues.

Seed material is sourced from audited suppliers with full lot traceability. Each batch is tested for purity and germination, and packaging observes applicable quality, phytosanitary, and biosecurity protocols. Guidance here is general and may vary with local conditions, including microclimate, soil, hardiness zone, and hemisphere. Product pages carry specific instructions on storage, handling, and sowing. Timing recommendations use climate cues (e.g., after last frost) and should be adapted to local conditions.

Crisp roots and tender greens for cool-season harvests

Turnip seeds deliver quick-growing roots with a mild, slightly sweet flavor and tender, nutrient-dense greens. Suited to cool conditions, sow as soon as soil is workable after the last frost, or in late summer for an autumn harvest. Provide loose, well-drained soil free of stones, enriched with organic matter, and keep moisture consistent to promote rapid growth and prevent woody texture. Direct sow thinly, then thin seedlings to allow 10–15 cm between plants, giving rows space for airflow. Harvest baby roots at golf-ball size for the most delicate texture, or allow selected plants to mature while checking firmness. Young greens can be cut for repeated pickings, or lifted with the roots for full bunches. Varieties include white globes, purple-topped classics, and elongated types; some offer improved resistance to bolting for spring sowings. Succession sow every few weeks to extend the window in mild climates, and use a light mulch to stabilize soil moisture and deter surface cracking.