Seven Top

Family: Brassicaceae Root Brassica

Sweetly earthy and pleasantly mild, Seven Top turnip greens arrive with tender, fast-growing leaves that stay succulent rather than tough.

The foliage forms a dense, upright rosette of deep green, with a crisp texture that shines in fresh bunches and quick sautés, while the roots develop as small, flavorful bulbs suited to roasting or braising when you want a bonus harvest. Grow Seven Top for a steady stream of harvestable greens in about 45 days—ideal for gardeners who love flavor-forward brassicas that don’t wait.

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

Seven Top is a two-for-one: the greens deliver a sweet-earth brassica bite that doesn’t turn woody, and the small bulbs roast up into caramelized, savory-sweet nubs. Use the leaves fast—high heat, minimal time—so they stay crisp and juicy instead of collapsing into mush.

Best Uses

quick sautéed greens with garlic and a splash of vinegar for snap
steamed or braised until glossy, then finished with butter for a silky mouthfeel
roasted small bulbs for caramel-edged sweetness
bunched greens dressed raw in a thin vinaigrette (or lightly wilted)

Flavor Profile

sweetly earthy turnip-greens bitterness pleasantly mild, brassica-like bite tender, crisp leaf texture that stays succulent

Kitchen Pairings

bacon or pancetta garlic lemon or sherry vinegar butter or olive oil parmesan or pecorino chili flakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Brassica rapa (Seven Top turnip) and how can I control it?

A frequent problem is flea beetles, which chew small shot-holes in young leaves and can stunt growth. Cover seedlings with row cover until they’re well established, and keep weeds down; if damage is heavy, use an insecticidal soap spray in the early evening and repeat as needed. For disease, watch for clubroot (swollen roots) and avoid planting brassicas in the same spot for several years and keep soil pH slightly higher with lime if your soil is acidic.

How often should I water Seven Top turnip during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I maintain?

During active leaf and bulb growth (about weeks 2–6), keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—aim for soil that stays lightly moist 1–2 inches down. Water deeply about 1–2 times per week, increasing to more frequent watering during warm or windy spells, and reduce watering once foliage slows near maturity to prevent woody bulbs. Mulching helps maintain steady moisture, which improves tenderness and reduces split roots.

How do I know when Brassica rapa (Seven Top) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 45 days from sowing (or when roots are golf-ball sized if you want smaller, sweeter turnips). Leaves are usually ready to pick sooner—start harvesting tender outer leaves around 25–30 days, cutting with a knife so the center can keep growing. For best flavor, harvest on cool days and don’t leave roots to mature past the target size, since older roots can turn more fibrous.