Turnip Seeds - Seven Top

Growing Seven Top Turnip Garden Seeds

Sowing & Growing:

In northern regions, direct-sow non-GMO Seven Top Turnip seeds in spring or late summer, as soon as the soil is workable to 40°. In southern climates with warm winters, you can plant turnip seeds in early autumn or allow the crops to overwinter. Generally, turnips grow best in cool-to-temperate conditions ranging from 40-75°. However, heirloom turnip varieties also prefer germinating in colder temperatures and even benefit from a light frost. Plant seeds ½" deep, 1-2" apart and with 12-18" spaced in between rows. Once these plants have grown 3" tall, thin the young Seven Top Turnips 3-4" apart. Temperatures that are too high will cause turnips to bolt and go to seed before they're fully developed. Plant Seven Top Turnip seeds 1/2" deep in soil that is fertile and well-drained with a pH level of 6.0-7.0. Loosen the fertile soil 12-15" deep prior to planting and place young turnip plants in full sun. As a cool season root vegetable, heirloom turnips can tolerate partial shade. Germination will take 1-2 weeks. Turnips need 1" of water each week and prefer a layer of mulch to help retain moisture. Hardy varieties such as Seven Top Turnip seeds will grow green leaves just over 1" and can be cooked down to perfection as a savory verdant dish.

Harvesting:

Harvest Seven Top Turnips 45-50 days from the sowing date or once the roots have fully developed. Even though turnips are fast growing, you'll want to allow Seven Top Turnip seed varieties more time to develop, as their tasty leaves take slightly longer. It often depends on what you want to harvest the turnip plants for and what flavor you prefer. As a gardener simply ask yourself, do I want my turnips to taste more sweet or peppery? For more sweet greens, harvest Seven Top Turnip leaves around 50 days or once they've grown 3" tall. For more peppery tasting leaves similar to mustard greens, leave the turnips in the ground longer. If you want to harvest this turnip variety for its edible roots, wait until the small bulbs have grown 2-3" wide and are younger in development. Harvest your Seven Top Turnip crop by lifting up the roots with a gardening fork or by digging up the entire plant. Don't cut off more than 3 leaves from 1 turnip plant at a time in order to produce more growth. It's easy enough to throw a sweet turnip salad together or cook the greens in a savory cream as a last-minute addition!

Facts:

These brassica rapa varieties are hardy biennials and commonly grown as fast growing annuals in northern regions. As member of the mustard family, turnips are not only packed with protein, these root vegetables are high in fiber and folate.