Turnip
Heirloom Turnip Seeds: The Resilient Double-Harvest of the Northern Garden
Turnips (Brassica rapa) are one of the most rewarding and versatile crops for the cool-season gardener. At Firefly Farm & Mercantile, we curate heirloom turnip seeds that are selected for their crisp, buttery roots and vigorous, flavorful greens. Acclimated to the shifting springs and crisp autumns of the Driftless Region, our non-GMO varieties provide a rapid harvest that fills the gap between the earliest greens and the main summer harvest. If you have only ever tasted store-bought turnips, our homegrown heirlooms will be a revelation in sweetness and texture.
Roots and Shoots: A Dual-Purpose Powerhouse
The beauty of the turnip lies in its utility. We focus on vigorous heirloom varieties—from the iconic "Purple Top White Globe" perfect for mashing and roasting, to the delicate, apple-crisp "Japanese Salad" turnips that can be eaten raw like a radish. While the roots are developing underground, the lush green tops are ready for harvest as nutrient-rich cooking greens, providing a continuous supply of vitamins and minerals for your table. Because they thrive in cool weather, they are a cornerstone of the northern sustainable garden.
Quick Turnip Growing Facts:
- Planting Window: Direct sow as early as the soil can be worked in spring, and again in mid-August for a fall harvest.
- Days to Harvest: Rapid! Many varieties provide greens in 25 days and roots in 45–55 days.
- Hardiness: Extremely cold-tolerant; mature roots can withstand several frosts, which significantly enhances their sugar content.
- Soil Preference: Prefers loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Avoid excess nitrogen, which can lead to lush leaves but small, stunted roots.
- Expert Tip: For the absolute best flavor, harvest your turnips when they are about the size of a golf ball (for salad types) or a tennis ball (for storage types). Large, overgrown turnips tend to become woody and unpleasantly sharp—staying on top of the harvest ensures a sweet, creamy texture every time.
Explore our selection of traditional, white, and Japanese heirloom turnip seeds below. Every packet includes expert sowing instructions to help you grow a high-yield, nutritious harvest in your home garden.
