Purple Top White Globe

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Velvety, crisp-skinned globes rise with a striking purple crown fading into a clean, white shoulder—an eye-catching contrast that tastes as fresh as it looks.

Purple Top White Globe turnips deliver a sweet, mildly peppery bite with tender, fine-grained texture that holds its character from harvest to the table. Grow for quick satisfaction in about 50 days, ideal for roasting, steaming, and mashing, or for bright pickling and quick-simmer sauces.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 DaysHabit: Rosette

Botanical illustration of Purple Top White Globe

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 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
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

Purple Top White Globe turnips have that sweet-meets-pepper punch plus a tender, fine texture that doesn’t turn watery when heated. Roast or steam them and they go soft without getting stringy, while quick-pickling keeps their crisp snap and purple-edge bite.

Best Uses

roast wedges until caramelized at the edges and tender in the center
steam and mash with butter and salt for a smooth, non-stringy spoonful
quick-pickle slices for snap and hot-sour contrast
quick-simmer into a light purée or pan sauce for meats and sausages

Flavor Profile

sweet, mildly peppery turnip bite fine-grained, tender crunch velvety skin with a clean, not-too-earthy finish gets pleasantly mellow when cooked

Kitchen Pairings

butter black pepper mustard vinegar brown sugar pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Brassica rapa (Purple Top White Globe) and how do I manage it?

Watch for cabbage worms and imported cabbage moth larvae, which chew holes in leaves and can quickly defoliate small plants. Cover seedlings with a fine insect net or row cover and hand-pick any larvae you find; if infestations are persistent, use an appropriate Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray labeled for brassicas. Also keep an eye out for clubroot (swollen club-like roots and wilting), and avoid planting brassicas in the same spot for several years—lime the soil to maintain recommended pH when clubroot has been an issue.

How often should I water Purple Top White Globe during the main growing phase?

Water to keep the soil consistently evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) per week total, adjusted for rainfall and heat. During root bulbing (roughly mid-season), do not let the soil swing dry then waterlogged, because irregular moisture can cause split roots and woody texture. If you feel the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) is dry, water deeply to wet the root zone rather than giving frequent light sprinkles.

How can I tell when Purple Top White Globe is ready to harvest?

Start checking at about 45–50 days, when the roots are visible at the soil line and reach the expected globe size for your spacing. Pull one plant to confirm the root diameter; harvest when roots are tender and still fairly firm, before they get oversized and start to turn pithy. For best eating quality, harvest on a cool day and trim tops promptly to reduce wilting.