How to Grow Hakurei Turnip
Brassica rapa
Hakurei Turnip is a fast-growing root vegetable prized for its crisp texture and mild flavor. Gardeners grow this cool-season Brassica rapa to enjoy fresh harvests before summer heat causes bolting, making it an ideal addition to spring or fall gardens.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Hakurei Turnip: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Hakurei Turnip is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors rather than starting indoors, ensuring they are planted 2 to 6 weeks before the last frost date.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 for best results. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors 2 to 6 weeks before your last expected frost date. Press seeds lightly into the soil at a depth of about half an inch. Germination typically occurs within four to eight days under cool conditions.
Space seedlings 3 to 4 inches apart once they emerge, as crowding reduces root quality. These turnups do not require trellising or support structures. Maintain consistent moisture throughout the season by watering regularly; dry spells can cause bitterness and cracking. Apply a light layer of mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, and aphids, which can damage leaves or roots. Rotate crops annually and remove infected foliage early to prevent clubroot, black rot, and white rust. Harvest Hakurei Turnips approximately 38 days after sowing when the top greens are fully developed. Gently lift roots by hand to avoid bruising the tender flesh.
When to Plant Hakurei Turnip
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | June – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | April – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | February – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | January – December |
Companion Plants for Hakurei Turnip
✓ Good companions
Deep taproots complement turnip's shallow roots, efficient space usage
Natural pest deterrent against aphids and root flies
Shallow roots don't compete with turnip roots, provides living mulch
Trap crop for flea beetles and aphids, keeps pests away from turnips
Repel root maggots and flea beetles that commonly attack turnips
Fix nitrogen in soil which benefits turnip growth, vertical growth saves space
Help break up soil for turnip root development, harvest before turnips mature
Compatible root depths, both cool-season crops with similar water needs
✗ Keep away from
Fellow brassica that competes for nutrients and attracts cabbage root maggots
Same family (Brassicaceae) - attracts similar pests and diseases like clubroot
Heavy feeders that deplete soil nutrients needed by developing turnip roots
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
