Turnip Seeds

The fast, dual-purpose root worth a spot in your garden

Turnips (Brassica rapa) are an old-fashioned, thoroughly rewarding root vegetable prized for both their crisp roots and their tender, edible greens. Heirloom types range from the mild, sweet white salad turnips of Hakurei to the classic purple-and-white Purple Top globes grown for storage. Pulled young, the roots are sweet enough to eat raw; left to size up, they turn hearty and earthy for the stew pot. Fast, cold-hardy, and generous, turnips shine in both spring and fall gardens.

How to grow turnips from seed

Turnips are quick and easy to direct-sow. Plant turnip seeds about half an inch deep in loose, fertile soil in full sun, then thin the seedlings to stand 3 to 4 inches apart so the roots can size up. Seedlings appear in 5 to 10 days, salad types are ready in as little as 30 to 40 days, and storage turnips in about 50 to 60 days. Keep the soil evenly moist and sow in early spring or late summer, since turnips sweeten in cool weather. For the full step-by-step, see our complete guide to growing turnips from seed.

How to use turnips

Turnips are a two-for-one crop in the kitchen. Slice mild young turnips raw into salads, or roast, mash, and glaze larger roots until sweet and tender. They add body to soups, stews, and braises, and pickle beautifully in the Japanese and Korean styles. The leafy greens are a Southern classic, cooked down with a little smoke and vinegar, or added young to salads and stir-fries, so both the root and the tops earn their keep.

Turnips and their root-vegetable cousins

If you love growing turnips, try their fellow roots. Sow radishes for fast, peppery roots in the same brassica family, beets for another dual-purpose root and green, or parsnips for a sweet, hearty winter root. Explore the full range in our vegetable seeds collection.

Why buy turnip seeds from Organo Republic

Every packet of turnip seed we sell is non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom, and germination tested, so you can sow with confidence. As a U.S.-based licensed seed dealer, we work directly with trusted growers to keep quality high and prices low, and every pack carries a QR code that links straight to free online growing guidance. Orders over $49 ship free. Whether you want a single pack of turnips or a curated vegetable collection, you will find dependable, easy-to-grow seed here.