Turnips are a cool season root vegetable. They produce a large purple and white bulbous taproot which have historically been a winter staple. They can be roasted, mashed, or eaten raw.
Latin Name
Brassica rapa var. rapa
Family
Brassicaceae
Type of Plant
Vegetables
Annuals
Seasons
Fall
Spring
Specifications
Max Height: 1.5'
Max Spread: 1'
Uses
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Colors
Native Range
Europe
History
In November of 1785, George Washington wrote in his diary, "Finished digging my Summer Turnips and putting them in a Cellar."
Other Details
Grown by Washington
Planted at Mount Vernon
Hardiness Zones
Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005
Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility. Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.
Bring Washington's Garden Home
Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.
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