Collection: Turnip Seeds (Heirloom)

Grow the best heirloom turnips at home

Turnips aren't usually associated with gourmet cuisine. Formerly considered a poor man's meal, turnips are now getting the recognition they deserve as a superfood.

Heirloom turnips are cool-season annuals that grow quickly. This root vegetable grows best in full sun, but will also take partial shade, and may be harvested in as little as a month for little roots and baby greens, or two months for mature plants. Turnips grow best in well-draining, organic-rich soil and are best sown directly. Turnip seeds may be multi-sown and loosely covered, and they will sprout in a week or two. Sow heirloom turnip seeds directly into the ground two to three weeks before the last frost, then sow turnips again in late summer or early autumn for a fall harvest.

The Versatility of Heirloom Turnip Plants

Turnips are a versatile crop that may be grown in the field or in containers. However, you should cultivate this low-maintenance vegetable near your other plants since turnips repel aphids, which will benefit your other crops. Heirloom turnips are ideal for breaking up rough ground because of their powerful taproots, and many farmers use turnips as a cover crop for this reason.

There isn't a more adaptable garden crop than the simple heirloom turnip—this root vegetable may be cooked, boiled, mashed, or even eaten raw, much like a potato or carrot. Young roots have a pleasant flavor and go well in salads and soups. Turnip tops are wonderful fried with oil. Cook the greens the same way you would collards.

Health Benefits of Heirloom Turnip Plants

Turnips are a member of the Brassica family and have many of the same health benefits as broccoli and kale. Vitamins A, C, E, B-vitamins, and folate are abundant in turnip roots (and greens). Potassium, iron, and calcium are all abundant in heirloom turnips. They are also a fantastic choice for microgreens because, like other brassicas, all parts of the turnip are edible.

Grow Heirloom Turnips for Microgreens

Fill a seed tray with dirt and multi-sow a pinch of turnip seeds in each cell to produce heirloom turnips as microgreens. Water until the seedlings are two inches tall or have their first set of real leaves, whichever comes first. Cut portions of seedlings at the base with a pair of scissors. Enjoy these microgreens within a few days after picking, and plan weekly succession plantings to ensure a steady supply.

Whether you are on the hunt for the perfect heirloom turnip root or an organic variety known specifically for turnip greens, Eden Brothers has the turnip for you! For more information about planting, growing, and harvesting heirloom turnip seeds, see the Turnip Seeds Planting Guide.