White Globe Turnip (purple collar) - Brassica rapa

The White Globe Turnip with a Purple Collar is a biennial herbaceous vegetable plant that grows to 25-30 cm (10-12in). It is a variety with a white turnip marked with a purple collar. It is cultivated for its fleshy, spherical root. Its firm and sweet flesh is used raw or cooked in many dishes. Sow from May to August for a harvest 2 months later.

Turnips have been known since prehistoric times and have always been part of the diet of people in Northern Europe. They are often consumed cooked, in gratins, mashed, or as an accompaniment to soup, pot-au-feu, and stews. Baby turnips do not need to be peeled and can be eaten raw, grated, and mixed with other raw vegetables. Young turnip leaves can also be consumed in soups. Turnips have diuretic, refreshing, and remineralizing properties, and contain vitamins (A, B5, B6, C, PP) and minerals (calcium, iron, copper, magnesium).

The numerous varieties of turnips allow for year-round harvesting. This root vegetable comes in various shapes (long, semi-long, round, or flat) and colours (white, yellow, pink, or purple).

Turnips require a supply of well-decomposed compost (3 kg/m²) in late autumn or early spring.

Harvest: Turnips are generally harvested two months after sowing. Spring-summer turnips will be harvested according to needs and desired size, from May to July. Autumn-winter varieties, intended for storage, will be lifted from October and before the first frost. To harvest, lift with a garden fork and gently pull from the base of the leaves.

Storage: Let the turnips dry for a few hours on the ground, cut the foliage above the collar. Turnips can be stored for several months in a cellar or silo, in dry sand, in a cool and dark place.

Gardener's tip: Good to know! Planting fennel next to turnips helps repel flea beetles and turnip flies. If necessary, for better protection, use a cloche or insect netting. Regular weeding and hoeing should be carried out.