Turnips: harvest young for a tender, crisp root
A turnip does not have to become a large winter root. Young turnips suit a small crop and can be grown alongside other vegetables. Match an early or late variety to your sowing date and give the root room to swell.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
- Sowing
- Spring to late summer, according to variety
- Harvesting
- Young roots; autumn for later sowings
- Location
- Sun and moisture-retentive, well-drained soil
- Group
- Brassica crop; include in brassica rotation
This growing advice helps you choose. Your variety, growth stage, weather and conditions in your space determine the actual timing.
Sowing under cover and raising seedlings
Sow directly for young leaves or roots · Turnip
Spring or autumn, with a suitable cultivarSow directly into greenhouse soil or a container, provide light and ventilate.
- Germination and temperature
- Wait for workable, warmed soil; follow the cultivar’s minimum sowing temperature.
- After emergence
- Keep the seed row evenly moist during emergence and identifiable with a label.
- Pricking out and potting on
- Sow thinly and thin in the final position where needed. For cutting leaves, every seedling need not stand separately.
- Hardening off and planting out
- Stays where sown; hardening off and planting out are unnecessary for direct sowing.
A cool, even start helps. Heat, drought or an unsuitable cultivar window can make plants bolt quickly.
Sources and use
RHS · radijs ↗Britse teeltrichtlijn voor een gematigd klimaat; de genoemde perioden zijn richtlijnen voor Nederland en Vlaanderen.
Royal Horticultural Society · RHS — raap kweken ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
Utah State University Extension · USU Extension — raap in de tuin ↗Soort- of productgebonden bron; buitenlandse perioden zijn geen vaste Nederlandse zaaidatum.
Guideline periods for the Netherlands and Flanders. Check the variety, available light, soil and measured temperatures. Greenhouse heating does not guarantee enough winter light.
A different flavour, a different harvest.
Choose by more than the name. Discover how these varieties and crop types taste, what you can use them for and what growing them involves.
5 of 5 choices · 4 named varieties
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Goldana
Round, yellow turnip with edible young leaves too.
Choose Goldana for a quick yellow root and a possible leaf harvest. In an autumn crop, selected undamaged roots can also be stored for winter use.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
Goldana has the mild character of turnip when harvested young. The yellow interior is a visible difference alongside white-fleshed turnips, without a proven flavour ranking.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Cook small yellow wedges briefly or make a mixed turnip mash. Young, healthy leaves can be cooked separately as turnip greens in a stir-fry.
A space in the garden
Sow in spring or late summer and thin in good time. Allow enough space for round roots and maintain even moisture in dry weather.
Harvesting
Harvest young for a fine texture. Let storage turnips grow further, lift before severe frost and keep cool, protected from drying out.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Milanese Witte Roodkop
White turnip with a reddish-coloured shoulder.
Choose this variety for two colours and both spring and autumn growing. Relatively quick development makes it useful in a bed that will be replanted later.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
Young Milanese turnips have a fresh turnip flavour and a tender bite. The two-coloured root mainly differs in appearance, without any established extra pungency.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Thinly slice small roots for raw salads or briefly steam equal-sized pieces. Leave the coloured shoulder visible in a simple dish with several turnip colours.
A space in the garden
Sow thinly and thin until each plant has space. In the warm part of summer, the crop needs more attention to moisture and preventing tough roots.
Harvesting
Harvest when young swollen stems have a usable diameter, often around six to eight centimetres. Waiting too long for more weight can give a coarser texture.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Platte Witte Mei
Flattened, white-fleshed turnip harvested young and tender.
Choose this white turnip for fresh summer or autumn meals. Its flat shape is easy to see above the soil and helps you follow harvest readiness.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
Harvested young, Platte Witte Mei is tender with the mild character of turnip. The flat bulb shape gives a different cutting result from a round or long root.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Steam small wedges or grate young swollen stems for raw salads. Cut evenly so that the delicate flesh does not need unnecessarily long cooking.
A space in the garden
Sow directly in a fine seedbed and thin in good time. Stagger a few short rows so that you can eat young roots on several occasions.
Harvesting
Harvest young at kitchen size and use promptly. For a second harvest, replant rather than leaving all the turnips growing for a long time until coarse.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Boule d’Or
Round, smooth turnip with yellow-orange flesh.
Choose this variety for a smooth, round shape and a described sweet aroma. It suits an early fresh harvest and several small sowings.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
The source describes firm, sweet and fragrant flesh. This makes Boule d’Or interesting to taste alongside white-fleshed turnips, without guaranteeing the same flavour in every soil.
In the kitchen
Slice young roots for raw salads or cook equal cubes in a vegetable stew. The yellow to orange interior gives recognisable colour alongside potato or white turnip.
A space in the garden
Sow directly according to the packaging and thin in good time to create space. Keep the root zone moist, as interrupted growth can produce a coarser swollen root.
Harvesting
Harvest at a usable size and taste a first root before letting the rest grow large. For raw use, young, finely sliced flesh is most pleasant.
Also listed as: Boule d'Or.
Read the source notes →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Yellow turnip cabbage
A generally offered large, yellow-fleshed turnip type.
Choose this offering for larger, yellow-fleshed turnips and later kitchen use. Check the botanical name on the packet to plan the correct growing period and final root size.
Flavour, kitchen and growing
How does it taste?
This type has an earthy turnip character; a specific variety aroma is missing. The product source lists Brassica campestris, so comparison with swede flavour does not automatically apply.
This flavour description applies to the crop; there is no separate tasting result for this variety.In the kitchen
Cut the large yellow root into equal cubes and cook for a stew or mash. Try some cooked more briefly for bite and some softly mashed.
A space in the garden
Check the botanical name on the packaging before choosing sowing time and spacing. Give larger roots space and let them develop in a loose, moisture-retentive bed.
Harvesting
Harvest at the desired size and use undamaged roots. Store them cool, protected from drying out; assess the actual harvest before planning a large supply.
Read the source notes →Choose your way to grow
From a garden bed to a suitable pot or support: give your plant a place that suits your garden and the care you can provide.
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Sowing directly into a cleared bed
A root builds its harvest underground. First choose workable soil and a spot that will stay available for long enough. Sow directly and keep the row identifiable, even while seedlings are still small.
- Remove stones, weeds and hard clods without smearing wet clay into a compacted surface.
- Sow at the depth for the cultivar and keep the germination zone moist.
- Thin in time and harvest a first test specimen.
For anyone with a suitable bed and enough root space.
Tick off your supplies →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
A small trial in a suitable container
For small turnips, use a wide pot with drainage and enough depth. Sow directly in the final pot and thin out. Pots need moisture checks more often than beds; a small root harvest is a sensible aim here.
- Check the cultivar’s expected root size.
- Choose a container with enough depth and unobstructed drainage.
- Sow directly and check moisture more often than in the ground.
For limited space, provided the container suits the root shape.
Tick off your supplies →Explore the varieties
See the confirmed differences. Characteristics without supporting evidence are left blank.
2 of 2 varieties
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Oasis
Explore this variety and use the growing guide to choose a place for your plant.
View variety →
This image was created with AI from described plant characteristics and growing advice. It shows a possible situation and is not a photograph of a verified cultivar.
Tokyo Cross
Explore this variety and use the growing guide to choose a place for your plant.
View variety →Choose two to four varieties to compare their source data side by side.
Choose by flavour, shape and use
Goldana: Round yellow early turnip with edible young leaves too. Cook small yellow wedges briefly or make a mixed turnip mash. Young, healthy leaves can be cooked separately as turnip greens in a stir-fry.
Goldana has the mild character of turnip when harvested young. The yellow interior is a visible difference alongside white-fleshed turnips, without a proven flavour ranking.
Milanese Witte Roodkop: White early turnip with a coloured reddish shoulder. Thinly slice small roots for raw salads or briefly steam equal-sized pieces. Leave the coloured shoulder visible in a simple dish with several turnip colours.
Young Milanese turnips have a fresh turnip flavour and a tender bite. The two-coloured root mainly differs in appearance, without any established extra pungency.
Platte Witte Mei: Flat-round, white-fleshed turnip harvested young and tender. Steam small wedges or grate young roots for a raw salad. Cut evenly so the delicate flesh does not need unnecessarily long cooking.
Harvested young, Platte Witte Mei is tender with the mild character of turnip. The flat bulb shape gives a different cutting result from a round or long root.
Boule d’Or: Round, smooth turnip with yellow-orange flesh. Slice young roots for raw salads or cook equal cubes in a vegetable stew. The yellow to orange interior gives recognisable colour alongside potato or white turnip.
The source describes firm, sweet and fragrant flesh. This makes Boule d’Or interesting to taste alongside white-fleshed turnips, without guaranteeing the same flavour in every soil.
Choosing a suitable root crop
Turnip and swede are different crops. With ordinary turnips, you can harvest young roots or choose a later cultivar for autumn. Follow that distinction on the packet. Turnips harvested small do not need the same space as large storage roots.
Make room underground
Feel whether the soil is loose enough below the top layer. A fine surface can hide a hard layer. Carefully relieve obstructive compaction when the soil is workable. Avoid fresh, coarse manure directly in a row where straight roots need to develop.
Sow in the final position
Sow directly into a fine seedbed and divide the crop into small batches. Cooler weather is favourable. Summer sowing only succeeds if the germination zone does not dry out; in extreme heat, wait for a better moment within the cultivar’s window.
The surface layer deserves attention
After sowing, keep the germination zone evenly moist. A hard crust and drying can hold back small plants. Water with a fine rose and do not walk over the row. A label helps you find the sowing position before recognisable leaves appear.
Give every young plant its own space
Thin seedlings in time so the roots can thicken. Exact spacing depends on cultivar and harvest size. You can use young thinnings as leafy vegetables when they are edible turnip plants; do not remove all leaves from the remaining root plants.
Growing without large fluctuations
During dry periods, check moisture below the surface. Young plants and containers need more frequent watering checks than a well-rooted crop in a bed. Water according to need and let it soak down; a wet surface every day tells you little about the root zone.
Take time over the first one
Harvest turnips young and taste a root of useful size. Do not let them grow solely for a greater harvest weight: tenderness declines in many types. Loosen the soil if needed and pull without tearing the foliage from the root.
An unusual root tells you something
A small, hard root can sometimes be associated with drought, too little space or an unsuitable growing season. As turnip is a brassica, flea beetles, cabbage root fly and clubroot may also play a part. Identify the damage and include the crop in your brassica rotation.
Start with a sound harvest
Use damaged roots first and store only sound ones, following guidance for the type and cultivar. Cool conditions and suitable humidity help limit drying, but check for deterioration. Storage advice for one winter cultivar is not a shelf-life promise for the whole species.
What you need
Tick what you already have. The extras depend on how you grow.
0 of 5 ticked off
Your ticks are saved in this browser.
Discover and grow more
More background, sources and image information
SeedSteps editorial team · updated on 11 October 2026. The AI images illustrate species and practical growing situations; they do not prove an exact cultivar, observations from your own garden or yield.
Britse gewasadviezen worden gecombineerd met Nederlandse en Vlaamse informatie waar beschikbaar. Amerikaanse Extension-bronnen ondersteunen plantprincipes en herkenning; hun kalenderdata, lokale plaagdruk, bestrijdingsmiddelen en mestdoseringen worden niet rechtstreeks op Nederland of Vlaanderen toegepast. Vorst, bodemwarmte, standplaats en expliciete rasinformatie blijven de lokale controle. Commerciële bronnen onderbouwen uitsluitend benoemde ras- en plantkenmerken; zij zijn geen affiliate-aanbeveling.
- World Checklist of Vascular Plants — 4 juni 2026Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · accessed 2026-10-07
- Meiraap 'Goldana' BiologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Meiraap 'Milanese Witte Roodkop' BiologischFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Organic Raap Platte Witte Mei zadenFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Raap Boule d'Or zadenFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- Raapkool Geel zadenFeggies · accessed 2026-10-11
- RHS — raap kwekenRoyal Horticultural Society · accessed 2026-10-10
- USU Extension — raap in de tuinUtah State University Extension · accessed 2026-10-10
Supporting evidence by chapter: Choose by flavour, shape and use: Feggies, Feggies, Feggies, Feggies. Choosing a suitable root crop: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension. Make room underground: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension. Sow in the final position: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension. The surface layer deserves attention: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension. Give every young plant its own space: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension. Growing without large fluctuations: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension. Take time over the first one: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension. An unusual root tells you something: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension. Start with a sound harvest: Royal Horticultural Society, Utah State University Extension.