Purple Top Turnip grows smooth round globes that are purple on top and white below the soil line. The greens are tasty and nutritious, and the turnips have a sweet flavor and fine-grained texture. Best harvested when 3 inches or smaller in diameter.
Turnips are a refreshing garden snack that can be enjoyed in stews, soups, and stir-fries.
Plant seeds in the early spring or mid summer. Soak seeds overnight in a damp towel before planting for excellent germination rates. Plant turnip seeds one half inch deep and space rows 6–8 inches apart. Turnips do best when planted in rich, fertilized soil with good drainage and full sunlight.
Give turnips regular, even water so that roots grow steadily and the turnips develop a soft, creamy flesh.
Pull turnips from the ground carefully using a garden handfork to loosen the soil around the roots if necessary. Harvest turnips when the soil is dry and twist off the greens before storing them.
Allow a few turnips to go to seed. The plants will flower and seed pods will emerge. Once pods have turned brown and dry, they are ready for harvest. Seed pods should be removed immediately after they dry because they often release seeds just days after they have dried. Cut pods off at the stems. Place pods in a paper bag and apply pressure with your fingers to break open. Separate seeds from chaff and store in a cool, dark place for up to five years.