Brassica rapa & Brassica napus

Rutabaga & Turnip

These classic root crops can store long-term in the root cellar, or right in the ground for milder regions, providing winter fare with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that boast a whole range of health benefits. The leafy tops are particularly loaded with carotenoids, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin K.

The Growing Guide

Soil Temp for Germ 55–75°F
Seed Depth ¼–½"
Seed Spacing 1–2"
Days to Emergence 5–17
Thin Plants to 6–8"
Row Spacing 12–16"
Fertilizer Needs Low
Minimum Germination 80%
Seeds per Gram ≈ 265–400
Seed Life 3 years

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More About The Seeds & Plants

More About

Brassica rapa (turnips) & Brassica napus (rutabagas)

Days to maturity calculated from date of direct seeding.

Culture
• Rutabagas and turnips can tolerate a range of soil types with a slightly acidic pH of 6.0-7.0
• Work in one cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 10 row feet

Direct Sowing
• Direct sow spring through summer
• Thin promptly when they form 2 true leaves
• Sow turnips July through early-September for a fall/winter crop
• Sow rutabagas in July for a fall/winter crop

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: See Brassica Insect Information below
• Disease prevention: 5-7 year crop rotation

Harvest & Storage
• Roots are sweetest when small, so pick early
• Turnip greens can be picked when young
• Both root crops are best stored at 36°F and 95% relative humidity

Brassica Insect Information
Aphids: Control aphids with ladybugs or a hard spray of water or Pyrethrin. Also, select varieties that mature later in the season when aphid populations decline.
Cabbage worms, loopers, and root maggots: The first sign of cabbage worms will be off-white butterflies fluttering near the plants. They lay their yellowish-colored eggs on the undersides of leaves, which hatch into caterpillars that can cause severe root and head damage. To control light infestations, spray plants with Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). For heavy infestations, bait cabbage worms by mixing wheat bran into a B.t. solution. Add 1 tablespoon of molasses. Broadcast the bran mixture around the base of plants. Reapply as necessary. Using Reemay or Summer Insect Barrier can also provide control.
Flea beetles: Flea beetles chew tiny pinholes in leaves. Early control is essential to minimize the damage. Spray infected plants with Pyrethrin. Using floating row covers such as Summer Insect Barrier can also provide control.
Symphylans: In some areas of the US, symphylans (also known as garden centipede) can severely impede the plant growth of many crops. Only 1/4 inch long, white, and very active, they eat the root hairs of developing plants. Using larger transplants helps reduce damage. Contact your local county extension agent if you suspect you have a problem.

What We’re Growing at Home

Employee Favorite Turnips

Taste a bit of history with the Fort Umpqua turnip. Known for its crisp texture and sweet, mild flavor, Fort Umpqua is an "employee favorite." Easy to grow and consistently productive, it thrives in a variety of conditions. Its reliable harvests and delicious taste make it a standout addition to any garden.

FORT UMPQUA

Vegetable | turnip

$4.95

55–60 days. A striking turnip that showcases a vibrant purple on top and firm, white, 3–4 inch roots. Experience a delightful sweetness at first bite, followed by a warm spice that lingers just enough to make you want to come back for more. Their rich taste will elevate any meal—perfect for roasting, adding to soups, or enjoying fresh in salads!

We believe it’s plausible, and perhaps probable that this pioneer turnip has been dutifully reproducing itself for over 170 years! Fort Umpqua was a trading post built by the Hudson Bay Company in 1836. The location for the fort was chosen in part for its ability to grow vegetables and fruits. With the 80 acres of deep river loam soil the fort was situated on, it was perfect for growing food.

In 2010, one of Territorial’s previous owners, Tom Johns, had a chance encounter with Al Lepage, a historian with avid interest in the workings of the Hudson Bay Company. He told Tom of a meeting he had with a couple, Rhonda and Rudy, who currently own the site where Fort Umpqua was located. He was telling them about the gardens that each fort had, and how important turnips were to settlers and trappers of the day. Rich in vitamin C, they could be stored or placed in saddle bags and taken on excursions. Upon hearing this Rhonda and Rudy gasped as they told Al that turnips appeared every so often on their farm, but they thought little of it. So little in fact that the last time they appeared they sprayed the area with herbicide in an attempt to remove noxious weeds. Tom called Rhonda immediately and met her and Rudy on the fort site. He asked them if they ever appeared again to contact him. Five years later, the call came in. Tom drove down immediately and found 8 very nice turnips, pretty as you please, sitting on top of the soil in the tall grass growing much like a kohlrabi. He dug 6 turnips, took them back to our farm, and transplanted them in our best sandy soil. Once rehydrated, the turnips grew through our mild maritime northwest winter and set a decent amount of seed the next summer. Since that time, we have been multiplying the seed and comparing them with as many heirloom varieties as we could find from around the world. We cannot say for sure that these turnips are truly descendants from when Oregon was just a territory, but we are working to move from plausible to probable. As a limited release—we are very pleased and excited to return this one-of-a-kind turnip, with a one-of-a-kind story, back to those who love to garden!