Turnip Greens
Brassica rapa subsp. rapa
vegetableFast-growing, peppery greens harvested from turnip plants before — or alongside — the roots. One of the most nutritious cool-season greens available, widely eaten in the American South, Italian cooking (cime di rapa), and Asian cuisines. Young leaves are tender enough for salads; older leaves are best braised or sauteed with garlic and olive oil.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 2 days
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Harvest
~45 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
biennial
Leaves year 1, flowers year 2
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Spacing
2-4 in (greens only) or 4-6 in (roots and greens)
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Planting Depth
1/4 in
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Soil pH
6.0-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 10
Grown as an annual — this range is its winter hardiness, but you can grow it for a single season in any zone.
When to Fertilize
Light balanced fertilizer at planting; nitrogen side-dress if growing large plants
Fertilizer
Balanced granular at low rate; compost amendment in soil before planting
🌱 Growing Guide
Direct sow 4 to 6 weeks before last frost, or start a fall crop 6 to 8 weeks before first frost. For greens only, sow thickly and skip thinning. For roots and greens together, thin to 4 inches. Cool weather produces the sweetest, most tender leaves. Leaves become tougher and more pungent in heat. A fast crop — baby leaves are ready in 30 to 40 days.
Planting Calendar
Sign in to personalize →spring planting
🌿
Direct sow
Apr 1
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Projected first harvest
May 16
fall planting
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Direct sow
Aug 25
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Projected first harvest
Oct 9
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Pea — Cool-season companion with compatible timing and root zone
- Onion — Aromatic deterrence of aphids and flea beetles near turnips
- Carrot — Efficient cool-season bed companions
- Spinach — Compatible cool-season greens with similar care
❌ Keep away from
Strawberry
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Row cover from sowing; diatomaceous earth around seedlings; succession-sow to replace damaged plants
Bt spray at early caterpillar stage; row cover; inspect weekly
Water blast; insecticidal soap; plant alliums nearby
Row cover; crop rotation; avoid fresh manure at planting
🌾 Harvest & storage
For baby salad greens: harvest at 2 to 4 inches, about 25 to 30 days from sowing. For cooking greens: harvest outer leaves from 4 to 8 inches tall plants. Young leaves are best raw or lightly wilted. Older leaves over 10 inches are better braised. Refrigerate and use within 4 to 5 days — turnip greens wilt faster than kale or collards.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Exceptional nutritional density: very high in vitamins A, C, K, and folate. One of the highest-calcium greens available — similar to kale. Contains glucosinolates with cancer-protective properties. The combination of turnip roots and greens provides complete nutrition from a single plant.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.