How to Grow Purple Top Turnip
Brassica rapa
Purple Top Turnip is a versatile Brassica rapa valued for its crisp roots and leafy greens. Gardeners grow this easy-to-handle cool-season crop to enjoy fresh harvests before summer heat sets in.
📷 Wikipedia: Brassica rapaStarting Purple Top Turnip: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Purple Top Turnip is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors two to six weeks before the last frost; do not start indoors as this crop is best grown directly in the garden bed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Sow seeds directly outdoors two to six weeks before the last spring frost, as they tolerate light cold. Press seeds gently into the soil at a depth of about half an inch. Germination typically occurs within four to seven days under cool conditions.
Space plants four to six inches apart in rows to ensure good air circulation. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, as high moisture is essential for root development. Apply a light mulch to retain water and suppress weeds, feeding lightly if growth seems sluggish during long seasons.
Watch for flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, and aphids; row covers or insecticidal soap can help manage these pests. Prevent clubroot and downy mildew by rotating crops and ensuring good drainage. Harvest roots in about thirty-seven days when they reach a usable size, digging carefully to avoid damage.
When to Plant Purple Top Turnip
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | May – July | June – September |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | March – May | April – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | January | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | January | January – March | February – December |
| Zone 11 | January | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 12 | January | January – February | January – December |
| Zone 13 | January | January – February | January – December |
Companion Plants for Purple Top Turnip
✓ Good companions
Different root depths prevent competition and carrots may improve soil structure
Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on cabbage worms and aphids
Deters aphids, cabbage loopers, and other brassica pests with strong scent
Provides ground cover, conserves moisture, and has similar growing requirements
Repels flea beetles and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects
Acts as trap crop for flea beetles and aphids, protecting turnip leaves
Repels root maggots and cabbage worms that commonly attack brassicas
Quick-growing companion that loosens soil and may deter root flies
✗ Keep away from
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, may inhibit turnip root development
Allelopathic compounds can inhibit brassica growth and development
May stunt turnip growth and compete for nutrients, different pH preferences
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
