Purple Crown

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Velvety purple shoulders rise above the soil like a crown, shading into creamy ivory at the base—an irresistible sight with a sweet, mellow bite.

Purple Crown turnips develop a tender, fine-grained texture that stays pleasantly crisp, with a gentle peppery note that softens beautifully when roasted or simmered. Grow this 55-day standout for fresh slicing, hearty braises, and vibrant pickling that keeps its color-laced charm.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 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 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Purple Crown turnips are built for contrast: velvety flesh with a fine-grained crisp that holds up from raw slicing to hot, gentle braising. The mild peppery edge turns round and sweet under roasting, and the pickling brine keeps that crown of color looking—and tasting—alive.

Best Uses

thin slices for raw crunch (salads or sour-sweet slaws) where the pepper stays gentle
roast until edges bronze for a caramelized, custardy interior
braise in butter or broth until silky for hearty spoonable sides
quick-pickle for color-laced tang that stays crisp

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow turnip bite gentle peppery snap tender, fine-grained crispness creamy, mellowed flavor when heat-softened

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter apple cider vinegar honey garlic black pepper mustard

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica rapa subsp. rapa (Purple Crown), and how do I control it?

Watch for cabbage worms/loopers and flea beetles, which chew holes in leaves and can stunt the small roots. Use row cover soon after sowing, then handpick larvae and treat with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for caterpillars; for flea beetles, keep plants weed-free and use insect netting until roots size up. If you see club-shaped roots or wilting, remove affected plants and avoid replanting Brassica in the same bed to reduce clubroot risk.

How often should I water Purple Crown during the main growing phase?

From when seedlings establish through root bulking, keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Water deeply to wet the root zone, and avoid letting the soil dry out completely because Brassica rapa can get woody or split when moisture swings.

How can I tell when Purple Crown is ready to harvest (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa)?

Harvest when roots reach the listed size for “globe” turnip types and are firm at the soil line, typically around 55 days from sowing. If the shoulders are visible and the root feels about like a golf to tennis ball when gently pulled, it’s ready—leaving them too long can make roots tougher and more pungent.