Organic 'Purple Top' Turnip
identification
description
'Purple Top' organic turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) from McKenzie Seeds, a classic, mild, and versatile turnip
The organic 'Purple Top' turnip, also known as Purple Top White Globe , is a must-have heirloom variety , prized for its round, uniform roots with milky white flesh topped by a distinctive purple collar . The roots typically reach 5 to 12.5 cm in diameter , offering a firm, crisp, and tender texture , with a mild, slightly sweet flavor typical of old-fashioned turnips.
Highly reliable in yield , this turnip is enjoyed both raw and cooked and freezes perfectly without any loss of quality. The young leaves are also edible and can be cooked as a leafy green. A cool-season crop, 'Purple Top' is safe for bees and attracts pollinators , while also fitting easily into home vegetable gardens. Turnips are particularly well-suited to peas , which promote balanced growth.
Spread/carrying habit: Round root
Foliage height: 30 to 45 cm
Seed producer: McKenzie
Seed type: Open pollination
Physical seed type: Organic seeds
Quantity per packet: Approximately 800 to 900 seeds
Special features: Classic variety, reliable yield, uniform roots, edible leaves
Root color: White with purple tips
Texture/flavor: Tender, crisp flesh, mild and traditional flavor
Tolerance: Good cold tolerance, cool season crop
Farming method
Turnips are a cool-climate crop that should be sown directly outdoors in early spring , as soon as the soil can be worked. The ideal soil temperature for germination is between 18 and 20°C . Prepare loose, fertile, and well-drained soil .
Sow the seeds 1.3 cm deep , then lightly press the soil to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Water gently with a fine mist and keep the soil evenly moist , but not waterlogged, during germination, which usually occurs in 8 to 12 days .
When the seedlings reach a few centimeters in height and have developed 2 to 3 pairs of leaves , thin them out to maintain a spacing of approximately 10 cm between plants, with rows spaced 45 cm apart. Proper spacing is essential, as plants that are too close together produce excessive foliage at the expense of the roots.
Regular watering, equivalent to about 5 cm of water per week , promotes rapid growth and tender flesh.
Harvesting and preservation
Harvesting typically begins 55 to 60 days after sowing . Harvest when the roots reach the desired size to prevent them from becoming fibrous. Turnips can be harvested young for a very tender texture or when mature for better storage.
The roots keep well in the refrigerator or cool storage, and freeze very well after preparation. The leaves can be harvested young and cooked like green vegetables.
Usage ideas
• Roasted, boiled or sautéed turnips
• Soups and stews
• Freezing and storage
• Eaten raw in thin slices
• Cooked leaves as green vegetables
The organic 'Purple Top' turnip is a reliable choice for the vegetable garden , combining ease of cultivation , a mild flavor , and culinary versatility . A classic and dependable variety, ideal for gardeners looking for a generous and easy-to-grow root vegetable.
