Brassicacées • Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

White turnip with purple collar - Organic

"A small, crisp, early-maturing turnip, perfect for spring and autumn vegetable gardens."

$4.49

Number of seeds 800 seeds

Among the most familiar root vegetables in peasant gardens, the white turnip with a purple collar is one of those unassuming companions that faithfully return with each passing season. Its round, white, and smooth root, topped with a purple collar where it receives sunlight, provides a simple yet firmly rooted presence in the welcoming soil of the vegetable garden.

Originating from a vast Eurasian basin where turnips have been cultivated since antiquity, this bicolored variety has become popular for its rapid growth and tender flesh. In a vibrant and diverse garden, it integrates easily into the edges of planting beds or between longer crops, contributing to the garden's cycle through its roots that loosen the soil and its foliage that covers the ground.

In the garden, it's a reliable plant for cooler seasons: sown early in spring or late summer, it develops round roots within a few weeks, ready to be harvested for simple and nourishing cooking. Its remarkable resilience makes it a valuable ally in an approach to respectful gardening and connection with nature.

Growing climate: Cool season
Sowing difficulty level: Easy
Care required: Occasional
Growth: Rapid growth

Annotation: Cool season variety that bolts faster in hot weather or in case of water stress.

The white turnip with a purple collar is best eaten when young, when its root is still small and its flesh is very tender. It can be enjoyed raw, thinly sliced in salads or as crunchy sticks, or cooked in stews, soups, and casseroles where it adds a mild and slightly sweet touch.

The roots can be roasted whole or quartered with other root vegetables, or simmered in a flavorful broth. As with other turnips, the young greens can be used as cooked leafy vegetables.

For preservation, the roots can be stored in a cool, humid cellar, in slightly damp sand, or consumed primarily in the autumn when they are at their optimum of texture and flavor.