Turnips grow best in cool weather, in sunny, fertile, well-drained soil. Sow seed early enough that roots mature before sustained summer heat, or plant a fall crop so roots develop as temperatures cool. Thin seedlings, keep moisture steady, and harvest roots while they are still tender; the right calendar dates depend on your local weather and the cultivar you choose.
When to plant turnips
Turnips are cool-season vegetables. Utah State University Extension says they can be sown once soil reaches 40°F and grow best when temperatures stay below 85°F. For spring planting, sow as early as practical for your area; for a fall crop, plant early enough for roots to mature before a hard freeze. Work backward from your local heat and frost patterns, and check the maturity information on the seed packet rather than relying on a universal planting date. See Utah State University Extension’s turnip guide and Illinois Extension’s turnip guide.
Choose a variety for roots, greens, or both
Utah State University Extension lists Purple Top and White Globe as suitable turnips, and identifies Just Right and Tokyo as varieties that can produce both roots and greens. Shogoin is described as a greens cultivar. Illinois Extension also names Shogoin for greens and Purple Top, White Globe, and Just Right as options for roots and greens. Availability varies, so use the seed packet and local sellers’ descriptions to confirm a variety’s intended use.
Prepare the planting bed
Choose a sunny spot with fertile, deep, well-drained soil. If you are unsure what the bed needs, start with a soil test and follow its recommendations rather than adding fertilizer by guesswork. Utah State University Extension recommends incorporating organic matter and amending heavy clay to help roots develop. Remove weeds before sowing; young turnips compete poorly while they are establishing.
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- CLASSIC ROOT VEGETABLE – Purple Top turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa ‘Purple Top’) seeds produce sweet white roots with purple shoulders and tasty turnip greens, a traditional Southern favorite
- NUTRITIOUS & VERSATILE – Enjoy both tender turnip roots and healthy leafy greens, perfect for roasting, mashing, soups, or as a side dish
- COOL SEASON RELIABILITY – Plant in fall and spring gardens for dependable harvests, fast growing turnips thrive in many regions and soil types
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How to sow and thin turnips
Grow turnips from seed, sown directly in the garden. Extension recommendations differ on planting depth: Utah State University Extension gives ¼ inch, while Illinois Extension gives ½ inch. Follow the seed packet or a local extension recommendation for your conditions.
- Sow in rows. Illinois Extension recommends sowing 3–20 seeds per foot of row. Utah State University Extension suggests rows 12–18 inches apart; Illinois gives 12–24 inches.
- Thin after seedlings emerge. When seedlings are about 4 inches tall, thin them so plants have room to form roots. Utah State University Extension recommends 3–4 inches between plants; Illinois Extension recommends 2–4 inches.
- Use the thinnings. Tender tops can be eaten as greens. Illinois Extension says tops are usable at 4–6 inches, making thinning a first small harvest.
Extend the harvest with repeat sowings
Successive sowings can spread harvests over time. The recommended interval varies by source: Illinois Extension suggests sowing about every 10 days, while Utah State University Extension suggests every four weeks. Choose the interval that suits how quickly you use turnips and the remaining cool-weather growing window.
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- Direct sow ¼-½ inch deep, thinning to 4-6 inches apart. Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil, pH 6.0-7.5. Sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest all season.
- Purple Top White Globe gets its two-toned appearance naturally — the portion of the root exposed to sunlight above soil turns purple while the underground portion stays white. It's the most widely grown turnip variety in America.
- Cool season crop thriving in zones 2-9. Direct sow spring or fall, 18-24 inches between rows. Matures in 50-60 days. Flavor sweetens after light frost exposure making fall harvests especially delicious.
- Roots are delicious roasted, mashed, or added to soups and stews. Young greens are tender and nutritious — sauté like collards or add raw to salads. Rich in Vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
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Water, mulch, and weed control
Keep soil moisture as even as you can. Utah State University Extension recommends 1–2 inches of water per week, adjusted for weather and soil. Irregular moisture can contribute to cracked, woody, or pithy roots and bitter flavor. Mulch helps conserve moisture, cool the soil, and suppress weeds.
Keep the bed weed-free, especially during germination and early growth. Once plants are established, avoid deep cultivation near them because roots and feeder roots can be damaged.
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- Purple Top White Globe Turnip (Brassica rapa) - classic pre-1880 heirloom with a bold purple crown, white globe root 3-4" diameter, and mild sweet flavor; roots and tender greens both edible.
- Dual-Use Root and Greens Harvest: 1,000 seeds can produce 150-525 LBS of roots under good conditions; greens are harvestable throughout the season for salads, sautees, and soups. Based on 1,000 seeds x 20-70% survival x 0.75 lbs avg per plant.
- Direct Sow Only: Turnips do not transplant - always direct sow 1/4-1/2" deep when air temps stay between 40-85°F; thin to 4-6" apart. Sprouts in 3-14 days; keep soil evenly moist for even germination.
- Full to Partial Sun; 4-6" spacing; plant height 18-24"; grows best at 60-75°F, active range 35-85°F; thin early for large roots; harvest at 3-4" diameter before heat sets in; USDA Zones 3-12.
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Common pests and diseases
Utah State University Extension lists aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles, and Alternaria leaf spot among potential problems. Rotating planting locations and keeping the garden clean can help reduce disease pressure; for the leaf-spot concern, the guide also advises avoiding overhead irrigation. Illinois Extension notes root maggots as a possible problem where related crops grew the previous year.
Identify the problem before choosing a control. For pesticide use, follow local extension advice and the product label, including its crop and application instructions.
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- HIGH-PROTEIN FORAGE & EASY GROWTH: Purple top turnips provide high-protein forage for whitetail deer and wildlife making it an ideal for food plot seeds for deer. It is easy to plant under full sun to partial shade environments and thrive in USDA Zones 2-9. They are perfect for various soil conditions, making them a suitable plant seeds for outdoor gardening.
- DUAL-PURPOSE PLANT FOR MAXIMUM UTILIZATION: This versatile plant produces a large purple top root and leafy foliage. Both the root crop and the greens can be grazed by livestock and wildlife. The turnips grow sweet and tender, ranging from 2-5 inches in diameter, making them a desirable high energy food source for deer and suitable for deer food plot seed mixes.
- OPTIMAL SOWING RATES AND RAPID GROWTH: For best results, sow our purple top turnip seeds at 10-15 lbs per acre. They reach maturity in about 55 days, making them a quick-growing option for fall food plot seed. Cool temperatures help enhance the taste of the turnip making them great for hunting season food plots that can be planted in mid to late summer and provide forage into the winter months.
- VERSATILE USE AND SOIL ENHANCEMENT: These Brassica Rapa Turnip Seeds add essential nutrients to the soil, improving soil structure and fertility. They are excellent for crop rotation. Additionally, their deep root systems aid in aerating compacted soil, enhancing water infiltration. The turnip greens can also serve as a nutritious forage plant for livestock, providing multiple benefits for green farming practices.
- HEALTHY FOOD PLOT CHOICE: This turnip is favored as protein feeders for deer due to their high-energy content and ease of growth. It attracts wildlife, making it an excellent choice for hunters and nature enthusiasts. Additionally, its low-calorie and high-nutrient content make it a perfect addition to your fresh garden vegetables.
When and how to harvest
Harvest roots while they are tender
Utah State University Extension reports root maturity at 60–80 days from seeding and suggests beginning harvest when roots are larger than 2 inches in diameter. Illinois Extension describes 2–3-inch roots as a good medium size and cautions that older roots tend to become tough and woody. These are useful maturity cues, not a requirement to wait for a particular size: check your crop as it develops and harvest before roots become oversized or lose tenderness.
Loosen the soil with a digging fork before lifting roots to reduce the chance of damaging them. A light frost is generally tolerated, and cool conditions may sweeten turnips. In regions with suitable winter conditions, Illinois Extension says a heavy straw mulch can extend harvest into early winter.
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- TURNIP & RUTABAGA SEEDS COLLECTION – Grow Purple Top Turnip, Snowball White Turnip, and American Purple Top Rutabaga heirloom non-GMO seeds for planting in your garden
- FALL & SPRING PLANTING – Cool-weather crops germinate in 5–10 days, mature in 50–65 days, and thrive in raised beds or rows for dependable harvests twice a year
- HARVEST GREENS & ROOTS – Pick tender greens in 30 days or allow roots to mature into crisp Snowball turnips and hearty rutabagas that store well for winter meals
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Harvest greens young
Pick young leaves for greens, or use thinnings as plants grow. Illinois Extension says tops are usable when 4–6 inches long. If you want both roots and greens from the same planting, choose a variety described for both uses and avoid removing so many leaves that root development is compromised.
How to store turnips
For routine household use, Illinois Extension recommends refrigeration and gives roughly two weeks as a storage period. Longer storage requires more controlled conditions: Utah State University Extension reports 3–4 months at about 35°F and 95% relative humidity. These are different storage situations; a household refrigerator should not be assumed to provide the controlled temperature and humidity described for long-term storage.
Quick Recap
Choosing a planting approach
| Approach | Best fit | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Spring sowing | Roots or greens before summer heat | Sow early enough for the chosen cultivar to mature before sustained heat. |
| Fall sowing | A cool-weather crop later in the season | Allow time for maturity before a hard freeze; cool weather can improve flavor. |
| Root-focused varieties | Harvesting turnips primarily for roots | Check cultivar maturity and harvest before roots become tough or woody. |
| Greens or dual-purpose varieties | Harvesting leaves, roots, or both | Shogoin is listed for greens; Purple Top, White Globe, and Just Right are among the varieties identified for roots and greens by extension sources. |
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