Royal Crown

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Velvety, snow-bright roots of Royal Crown emerge with a regal, flattened crown and a crisp, fine-grained bite that stays tender even as it matures.

Expect a clean, gently sweet turnip flavor with a pleasantly firm texture—ideal for roasting to caramelize the edges, or for fresh use where its mild character shines. Royal Crown’s dependable 50-day rhythm makes it a satisfying choice for gardeners who want quick, elegant harvests with standout curb appeal.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 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 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

Royal Crown’s fine-grained crispness makes it a standout for raw shaves or fast roasting—heat coaxes sweetness without turning the texture dry or fibrous. If you want it to taste “regal,” brown it hard for caramel edges, then finish with butter and mustard for a sharp-sweet lift.

Best Uses

roast wedges or rounds until bronzed on the edges for a sweet, nutty exterior
shave raw into thin ribbons with vinaigrette for crunch without bitey sharpness
quick-simmer dice for mash-like texture that stays silky
pickled slices for a crisp, cool snap

Flavor Profile

clean, gently sweet turnip flavor crisp, fine-grained bite tender flesh that resists going woolly caramelizing edges when roasted

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme mustard honey bacon black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica rapa (turnip-type) like Royal Crown, and how can I manage it?

For Brassica rapa turnips, flea beetles commonly chew small pits in leaves and can stunt growth, especially in warm, dry spells. Use floating row cover immediately after seeding to block adults, and if needed treat with an insecticidal soap (apply in the evening and recheck after 3–5 days). Watch for blackleg symptoms (dark, water-soaked lesions on stems/at the soil line) and prevent it by avoiding overhead watering and not planting in the same brassica spot for at least 3 years.

How often should I water Royal Crown (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa) during the main growing phase?

During active leaf and root expansion, keep the soil evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot or windy. Let the top 1/2 inch dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the roots to go dry for long stretches because that can cause woody, bitter turnips. Mulch lightly to smooth moisture swings and reduce stress that leads to poor root texture.

How do I tell when Royal Crown turnips are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 50 days from sowing, when the roots are about 2–3 inches across and the tops look vigorous. If you see roots getting larger than that, quality often declines as they turn more fibrous and can become pungent. Pull one plant to check size—if the roots meet the range and the leaves are healthy, harvest the rest the same day.