American Purple Top

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Sink your fork into the crisp, juicy crunch of American Purple Top turnips—tender, sweet, and pleasantly peppery with a clean, bright finish.

The tops are a vivid purple crown over a creamy-white shoulder, forming a well-balanced root that holds its texture for roasting and steaming, and shines when sliced fresh for salads or quick pickles. Garden to harvest in about 85 days for a dependable, flavorful crop that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Taproot

Botanical illustration of American Purple Top

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

American Purple Top turnips give you that rare combo: sweet and juicy up front, then a crisp peppery finish that plays beautifully with vinegar and butter. Roast or steam them and they stay satisfyingly firm, while raw shavings deliver a clean crunch that doesn’t drown in heavy dressing.

Best Uses

quick-pickle coin slices for snappy acidity
steam-and-butter glaze the flesh, then hit with flaky salt
roast wedges until caramelized at the edges while staying juicy inside
shave raw into salads for a peppery crunch that won’t go limp fast

Flavor Profile

crisp, juicy crunch sweet, slightly peppery brassica bite clean, bright finish creamy-white interior with a tender core

Kitchen Pairings

butter mustard apple cider vinegar carrots Greek yogurt bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix root rot or bacterial soft rot on American Purple Top turnips?

If you notice soft, mushy tissue near the crown with a foul smell or dark, water-soaked patches, remove and discard affected plants immediately to stop spread. Avoid overhead watering and water at the soil line, then loosen the surface crust so roots can breathe; next sowing, rotate brassicas/turnips away from the same bed and avoid planting in poorly drained soil.

How often should I water American Purple Top turnips during the main growing phase (weeks 3–8)?

Keep the top 2–3 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week, increasing to 1–2 inches during hot spells. Check by feel: if the soil at 2 inches is dry, water deeply; if it stays wet or squishes, hold off to prevent split roots and rot.

When are American Purple Top turnips ready to harvest, and how can I tell?

Harvest at about 6–8 weeks after sowing, around day 85 at the latest, when the turnip bulbs reach 2–3 inches across for best texture. Pull one plant to check size—if the bulb is still small or the leaves look stressed and the roots are tough, wait a few more days while maintaining moisture.