Why Grow Purple Top Turnip?
An American Classic Purple Top Turnips are a traditional American heirloom grown for generations because of their dependable production and exceptional versatility. This variety produces smooth, round roots with the signature bright purple tops above the soil and crisp white bottoms below, making them as attractive in the garden as they are on the dinner table. Easy to grow and reliable in cool-season gardens, Purple Top Turnips are an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
Enjoy Both the Roots and Greens Purple Top Turnips offer a true dual-purpose harvest. The tender roots are delicious roasted, mashed, added to soups, or enjoyed in classic Southern recipes, while the large, nutritious greens can be harvested throughout the growing season for fresh cooking. Whether you're growing them for hearty roots, flavorful greens, or both, Purple Top Turnips provide a productive and rewarding harvest that has made them a favorite in home gardens for decades.
Purple Top Turnip Growing Tips
• When to Plant Turnips
Turnips are a cool season root crop that grows best during the fall months, when cool temperatures produce sweet, tender roots. While they can also be grown in the spring in cooler climates, fall is the preferred planting season for most gardeners, especially in the South. Turnips are typically direct seeded, as they develop the best root shape when grown without transplanting.
To plant, make a shallow furrow about ½ inch deep and lightly sow seeds along the row. Cover with soil, press gently to ensure good seed-to-soil contact, and keep the soil consistently moist until germination. Once seedlings emerge, thin them to 3–6 inches apart, depending on the variety, to give the roots plenty of room to develop.
Turnips tolerate frost well, and cool weather actually improves their flavor by converting starches into natural sugars. They can remain in the garden well into late fall and even after several light frosts.
• How to Fertilize Turnips
It's always a good idea to apply some pre-plant fertilizer to the soil before sowing turnip seeds. We like to sprinkle Coop Gro organic fertilizer across our raised beds or garden rows prior to planting. This provides the nutrients needed for strong root development and healthy top growth.
Once the plants are established, feed them with a balanced fertilizer to encourage vigorous leaf growth and the development of smooth, high-quality roots. We like to use a liquid solution of AgroThrive Fruit & Flower or lightly sprinkle Coop Gro around the base of the plants and work it into the soil. Consistent moisture and steady fertility will help produce sweeter, more uniform turnips.
• When to Harvest Turnips
Turnips are typically ready to harvest when the roots reach 2–4 inches in diameter, depending on the variety. Harvesting at this size provides the best combination of tenderness, sweetness, and texture.
One of the best things about turnips is that you don't have to wait for the roots to mature to enjoy the crop. As the plants grow, you can harvest the nutritious greens for cooking, leaving plenty of foliage behind so the roots continue to size up. Young greens are tender enough for salads, while larger leaves are excellent sautéed or simmered.
When the roots reach their desired size, gently loosen the soil and pull the plants by hand. Both the roots and greens can be enjoyed together for a delicious, homegrown meal, making turnips one of the most versatile crops in the cool-season garden.
