Turnip Seeds

Enjoy some organic turnips in your cool season garden

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We’re Signers of the Safe Seed Pledge!

All of our Peaceful Valley brand vegetable seed packs are CCOF & USDA Certified Organic, in addition to being Non-GMO and Open-Pollinated (with the exception of hybrid seeds).

All Peaceful Valley brand seeds are

Guaranteed To Germinate

Terms & Restrictions Apply
Turnip Seeds - Grow Organic

Introduction to Turnip Seeds

Turnip seeds (Brassica rapa) are a versatile and nutritious addition to any home garden. These small, unassuming seeds hold the potential to yield a bountiful harvest of delicious and healthy turnips. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various aspects of turnip seeds, from their different varieties to their cultivation and maintenance, as well as their nutritional value and culinary uses.

Varieties of Turnip Seeds

Turnip seeds come in several distinct varieties, each with its unique characteristics. The choice of turnip seed variety depends on personal preference, climate, and intended use. Here are some common varieties you can explore:

  1. Purple Top Turnip: This is the most popular variety known for its vibrant purple and white coloring. It's a versatile choice for both fresh consumption and livestock forage.

  2. Tokyo Cross Turnip: These turnips quickly mature and have a mild, sweet flavor. Tokyo Cross turnips are excellent for fall planting.

  3. Hakurei Turnip: These turnips are known for their tender, white roots and crisp texture. They are often enjoyed raw in salads or as snacks.

  4. Golden Ball Turnip: As the name suggests, these turnips have golden-yellow flesh and a mild, sweet flavor. They are an attractive addition to any garden.

  5. Seven Top Turnip Greens: While primarily grown for their nutrient-rich greens, these turnips also produce small, round roots. They are perfect for those looking to harvest both greens and roots.

Cultivation of Turnip Seeds

Turnip seeds are relatively easy to grow, making them an ideal choice for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Here are the essential steps for cultivating turnip seeds:

  1. Select a Suitable Location: Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot in your garden with well-drained soil. Turnips thrive in cool weather.

  2. Prepare the Soil: Work the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches and remove any rocks or debris. Incorporate organic matter, such as compost, to improve soil fertility.

  3. Sowing the Seeds: Sow turnip seeds directly into the ground, spacing them about 1 inch apart and covering them with a thin layer of soil. You can also plant them in rows with 12-18 inches of spacing between rows.

  4. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Be especially vigilant during dry spells or if you're growing turnips in containers.

  5. Thinning: Once the seedlings reach a few inches in height, thin them to allow enough space for the remaining plants to grow. Maintain a spacing of 4-6 inches between plants.

  6. Pest and Disease Control: Monitor your turnip plants for common pests like aphids and cabbage worms. Utilize organic pest control methods if necessary.

Nutritional Value of Turnip Seeds

Turnip seeds yield tasty roots and provide a wealth of nutritional benefits. These seeds are low in calories and high in essential nutrients, making them a healthy addition to your diet. Here are some key nutritional highlights:

  1. Vitamins: Turnip seeds are a rich source of vitamin C, which supports immune function, and vitamin K, important for blood clotting and bone health.

  2. Minerals: They contain minerals like potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure, and calcium, essential for strong bones and teeth.

  3. Dietary Fiber: Turnip seeds are high in dietary fiber, aiding in digestion and promoting a feeling of fullness.

  4. Antioxidants: These seeds also contain antioxidants like beta-carotene, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Culinary Uses of Turnip Seeds

Turnip seeds offer a wide range of culinary possibilities. The most common use, of course, is for growing turnips themselves. However, you can also enjoy the tender greens, which are great in salads or sautéed as a side dish. Turnip seeds can also be ground into a flavorful spice, and the sprouts can add a peppery kick to your dishes.

Turnip seeds are a versatile and rewarding addition to any home garden. With their various varieties, ease of cultivation, nutritional value, and culinary uses, these seeds offer plenty of reasons to include them in your gardening endeavors. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, turnip seeds are a fantastic choice to explore and enjoy the delights they bring to your table.

Learn more about seed starting in your organic garden with our resource guide, and buy everything you need with our Seed Starting Kit.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.