Hakurei

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Hakurei turnips open with a crisp, sweet snap and a clean, milky fragrance that feels bright from the first bite.

At maturity, the roots are smooth and uniform, emerging as pure white globes with a tender, fine-grained texture that stays pleasantly succulent. Grow Hakurei for fresh salads and quick roasts, and for silky sauces and pickles that showcase their gentle, mellow flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Rosette

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	Jun 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hakurei’s fine-grained, succulent texture makes it a stand-out “eat it cold” root—shave it thin and let it carry vinaigrette instead of wilting. When you roast, it browns fast at the edges while the center stays sweet and tender, so it’s perfect for high-heat sheet-pan work and quick pickling brines.

Best Uses

thinly shaved raw in salads where the crispness stays tight
quick roast at high heat to caramelize the edges without drying the center
quick-pickle slices for snappy, briny contrast
blended into silky mash or a light sauce with dairy

Flavor Profile

clean, sweet snap gentle mild turnip sweetness fine-grained tenderness with a juicy bite milky, slightly vegetal fragrance

Kitchen Pairings

butter honey dijon mustard white miso black pepper chives

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common problem when growing Brassica rapa var. rapa (Hakurei turnip), and how do I stop it?

Flea beetles are the most frequent pest on young Brassica rapa, chewing tiny holes in leaves and setting plants back fast. Cover seedlings with a lightweight row cover immediately after sowing and keep it on until plants are well established; if damage appears, remove covers during mid-day only long enough to water and then re-cover. If you see leaf fungal spotting, improve airflow by thinning to the label spacing and water at the soil line rather than overhead.

How often should I water Hakurei turnips during the main growing phase?

During active leaf and bulb formation (roughly weeks 2–6), keep the soil evenly moist—about 1 inch of water per week in total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. Aim for consistent moisture rather than letting the soil dry out completely, because dry spells followed by heavy watering can cause cracking or woody bulbs. Check by feeling the soil: the top 1 inch should stay slightly moist, not soggy.

How can I tell when Hakurei turnips are ready to harvest?

Harvest when the bulbs are mostly above the soil and feel firm at about 1.5–3 inches across; this is typically around 45 days from sowing. Leaves should be healthy and the bulb should be tender—if bulbs get much larger, they tend to turn tougher and more pungent. For the best flavor, pull early in the morning and remove most soil without bruising the bulb.