// SPECIES PROFILE · FOOD CROP · CULTIVATED

Turnip

Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group)

Turnip (Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group)) is a cultivated biennial food crop grown for its edible root, leaf. Family: Brassicaceae (mustard family). Originally from Europe & Central Asia. Hardy in zones 2a–11a. Mature size 1'–18". Harvest in northeastern Oklahoma: May–Jun and Oct–Dec.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: Brassicaceae (mustard family)
Group: crop · biennial
Origin: Europe & Central Asia · cultivated
USDA zones: Zones 2a–11a
Mature size: 1'–18"
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Edible parts: root, leaf
Harvest (NE OK): May–Jun and Oct–Dec
Garden role: Southern root & greens crop · best sown in late summer · cold-hardy

Turnip (Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group)) — *Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group)* — Turnip. Photo by thebittenword.com via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: Southern root & greens crop · best sown in late summer · cold-hardy. A cultivated food crop — not a native — grown alongside regional natives in Rooted Revival's kitchen-garden and food-forest designs. Harvest windows are for northeastern Oklahoma (USDA zone 7a).

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In a kitchen garden or food-forest guild, turnip pairs well with: Garden Pea (Pisum sativum), Onion (Allium cepa), Collard Greens (Brassica oleracea), Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea).