White Lady

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Crisp, snow-bright flesh with a faintly sweet, peppery lift—White Lady turnips form a clean, tender bite that feels refined straight from the garden.

At about 50 days, the roots swell into smooth, rounded globes with a delicate, creamy interior and a firm yet yielding texture that holds up beautifully for roasting, mashing, and hearty winter-style sides. Grow White Lady for a dependable, early harvest and a luminous color that brightens every platter and preserves well for later use.

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

White Lady turnips give you that snow-white, creamy center with a crisp, yielding bite—sweet up front, then a peppery brassica lift that doesn’t fade. It’s built for heat (roast/mash) or acid (pickle/dress) where its texture holds together instead of going woolly.

Best Uses

shaved or quick-sliced in vinegar-dressed salads where the crunch stays clean
roasting whole or in wedges for a sweet, caramel-edged exterior
mashing or pureeing for a smooth, lightly peppery side
quick-pickling to keep that snow-bright firmness

Flavor Profile

faintly sweet peppery, brassica snap crisp-tender bite creamy interior texture

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme mustard honey black pepper pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly troubles Brassica rapa var. rapa (white “Lady” type), and how can I manage it?

Watch for brassica clubroot (often worsened by persistently wet soil) and for cabbage root maggots that can attack developing roots. Keep soil consistently well-drained and avoid replanting brassicas in the same spot for several years; if clubroot shows up (swollen, distorted roots), remove affected plants and don’t use that area for Brassica crops next season. To reduce root maggots, cover seedlings with fine mesh row cover immediately after planting and remove covers only once plants are established and less attractive to egg-laying flies.

How often should I water Brassica rapa var. rapa during the main growing phase?

During active root bulking (roughly mid-season to near the 50-day maturity point), keep the top few inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for a steady “damp, not wet” condition. In most home gardens this works out to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total from rainfall plus irrigation, with more frequent, lighter watering during hot spells to prevent the roots from splitting or stalling. If you see leaves wilting in the afternoon but soil is dry only at the surface, water deeply enough to reach the root zone rather than just sprinkling the top.

How can I tell when Brassica rapa var. rapa is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 50 days (often a little sooner for smaller roots) when the roots are firm and have reached the expected size for your planting spacing. Use the leaves as a guide: the plant should look full and vigorous but not overly stretched, and the root should feel solid when you gently lift or probe beside the plant. If roots grow too large, they can become woody—so check regularly once they begin swelling.