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Old Cobblers Farm™ Wicked Tuff Turf Purple Top Turnip
Dual-purpose brassica—leafy tops + energy-rich bulbs. 60-90 day maturity. Wildlife food plots and livestock grazing extension. Brassica rapa.
Growing Guides & Fertilizer Education
Two crops in one—Purple Top Turnip produces both high-protein leafy tops (15-20% crude protein) and energy-rich bulbs (10-12% crude protein, high in digestible energy) on the same plant. Livestock graze the tops first, then dig and consume the bulbs as the tops are depleted. Deer managers plant turnips because whitetails learn to paw up and eat the bulbs after frost sweetens them. Turnips are also the fastest brassica to reach maturity—60-90 days from seed to harvestable bulbs, making them ideal for late-summer food plot plantings.
Category
Brassica
Type
Purple Top Turnip
Scientific Name
Brassica rapa subsp. rapa
Zones
Annual in all zones
Brand
Wicked Tuff Turf
What Is It ?
Two crops in one—Purple Top Turnip produces both high-protein leafy tops (15-20% crude protein) and energy-rich bulbs (10-12% crude protein, high in digestible energy) on the same plant. Livestock graze the tops first, then dig and consume the bulbs as the tops are depleted. Deer managers plant turnips because whitetails learn to paw up and eat the bulbs after frost sweetens them. Turnips are also the fastest brassica to reach maturity—60-90 days from seed to harvestable bulbs, making them ideal for late-summer food plot plantings.
How to Apply ?
Step 1
Plant 60-90 days before frost; apply 50-80 lbs N
Step 2
No specific fertilizer requirement
Step 3
Spread seed (6-8 lbs/1k sq ft new; 3-4 lbs overseed)
Step 4
Lightly rake or press into surface
Step 5
Water if dry
Step 6
Graze tops in 45-60 days; allow frost to sweeten
Best For
Wildlife food plots (deer, turkey)|Late-season livestock grazing extension|Dual-purpose forage (tops + bulbs)|Quick brassica cover crop (60-90 day maturity)|Fall planting after early crop harvest|Homestead animal feeding (chickens, goats, pigs love turnips)|Nitrogen scavenging after summer crops|Food plot mixes with clover and chicory
FAQs
1.
What is forage kale?
Purple top turnip (Brassica rapa) is a fast-growing brassica planted for livestock forage, deer food plots, and cover crop applications. It produces both nutritious leafy tops (12-16% crude protein) and a large root bulb (10-14% crude protein) that provides high-energy forage through late fall and early winter. Turnips mature in 60-90 days and can withstand light frost, making them one of the best late-season forage options for extending the grazing season.
2.
What does 85/80 Kentucky bluegrass mean in this mix?
Purple top turnips grow best in soil pH 5.5-7.0, with 6.0-6.5 being optimal. They are more acid-tolerant than many brassicas and perform adequately at pH 5.5 where other crops struggle. Turnips prefer well-drained loam but tolerate clay and sandy soils. Adequate phosphorus and potassium promote bulb development—a soil test before planting helps ensure proper fertility. Boron deficiency causes hollow, brown bulbs, so apply 1-2 lbs boron per acre on deficient soils.
3.
How much clover is in the All Purpose Lawn Mix and will it be visible?
Plant turnips for deer food plots in late summer—mid-July through mid-August in USDA zones 4-6, or August through September in zones 7-8. This timing allows 60-90 days of growth before hard frost, producing mature bulbs and lush tops when natural forage quality declines in fall. Deer typically begin feeding on turnip tops first and switch to bulbs after several hard frosts sweeten the roots. Spring planting is possible but produces lower-quality forage during summer heat.
4.
What is the seeding rate for purple top turnip?
Seed turnips at 3-5 lbs per acre broadcast, or 1-2 lbs per acre drilled in rows. For food plots, 4-5 lbs per acre broadcast provides dense forage. For small plots, use approximately 0.1 lbs (1.5 oz) per 1,000 sq ft. Plant 0.25-0.5 inches deep. Turnip seed is small and benefits from a firm, smooth seedbed. When mixed with other brassicas or cover crops, reduce to 1-2 lbs per acre as part of the blend.
5.
How long does it take for turnips to mature?
The All Purpose Mix performs in 3-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Optimal performance is at 4-6 hours. In shadier spots (3-4 hours), creeping red fescue carries the stand. In full sun (8+ hours), tall fescue tends to dominate over time. For less than 3 hours of direct sun, the Sun & Shade Mix is a better choice with its 65% fine fescue content designed specifically for heavy shade. The All Purpose is best described as a moderate-shade-tolerant blend.
6.
What fertilizer program does the All Purpose Lawn Mix need?
Apply 2-3 lbs nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft annually, with the white clover component providing an additional 0.5-1 lb N through biological fixation. Fall fertilization (September-October in zones 4-6) produces the best results. A simple program: 1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft in September, 1 lb in late October, and optionally 0.5-1 lb in late May. Avoid heavy spring nitrogen which promotes disease and weed pressure. Slow-release or organic fertilizers complement the clover's natural fertility contribution.
7
Do turnips survive frost and can they be grazed into winter?
Purple top turnips tolerate light to moderate frost (down to 20-25°F) and actually improve in palatability after frost—cold temperatures convert starches to sugars, sweetening the roots. In zones 5-7, turnips provide grazing through November-December. Hard freezes below 15°F will eventually kill the tops and freeze bulbs solid. Bulbs insulated by snow cover can remain grazeable longer. Turnips will not overwinter or regrow in spring—they are a single-season crop.