2013catalog

Turnip
(B. rapa) European crop, used for its leaves, roots, occasionally
blossoms, and as a fodder crop since at least Roman times. Turnips
are under-appreciated by todays gardeners, but, properly grown,
they make a superb storage crop for use through the winter. They
should be direct-sown in ordinary garden soil, well-worked and
free of stones, about two months prior to first frost of autumn.
Thin to stand 6 inches apart; thinnings may be used as greens.
Roots are ready in from 35-70 days, depending upon the variety,
and may be stored in the fridge, an unheated garage, root cellar,
or right in the ground, if properly mulched. 600 seeds per packet
BOULE D’OR #TN113
The “Golden Ball” or “Orange Jelly” variety has been a mainstay of European
turnips for over 150 years. This seed came to us from France where this old
turnip is still cherished, written about and grown. It has a finer flavor than many
of the white fleshed varieties as the yellow flesh is sweeter and milder. Lovely
color. Pkt $2.00
EARLY FLAT WHITE #TN114
(Navet Blanc Plat Hatif) Described by Vilmorin as: “Root exceedingly flat, like a broad
disk in shape... four to five inches in its greatest diameter... flesh white, tender... and of
good quality.” This is a very early variety and is quite tasty. Pkt $2.00
GOLDEN GLOBE #TN101
A tasty turnip with sweet, lightly golden flesh; fine flavored. A good turnip for
spring or fall. Pkt $1.50 or 1/4lb $5.00
“IDEAL” PURPLE TOP MILAN #TN104
An improved Milan turnip, the roots are very flat, white with purple tops. The
flavor is sweet and mild. A good variety for marketing. Popular in Italy, the Milan
turnip is a 19th-century Italian heirloom. Pkt $2.00 or 1 oz $5.00
NABO ROXO COMPRIDO #TN115 New!
The name simply translates to purple turnip, but this elongated variety is
white with a purple shoulder. Portuguese sources describe it as a fodder
variety, but we thought it tasted fine. Foundation seed provided by our friend,
collector Joao de Sousa Barroca of Portugal. Pkt (50 seeds) $2.25
NAVET DES VERTUS MARTEAU #TN106
The very tender, white roots are cylindrical, 5”-6” long and 2” wide with a
mild and sweet flavor. This old French heirloom was one of the most popular
varieties grown by French market growers in the late 1800s. Imported
European seed. Pkt $1.75
NORFOLK A COLLETTO VIOLA #TN116 New!
(Norfolk Purple Top) Late, globe- to barrel-shaped, purple top. This Italian
variety may well be synonymous with Norfolk Red, of which Fearing Burr
wrote in his 1863 tome, “The Field and Garden Vegetables of America.” If so,
it has been a market staple in England and parts of the Northeastern U.S.
for generations, tracing back to at least the 18th century, and becoming
increasingly rare of late. Pkt $2.25
PURPLE TOP WHITE GLOBE #TN103
A popular market variety, heirloom (pre-1880), productive, and easy to grow.
Skin is purple-white. Pkt $1.50 or 1/4lb $5.00
RED ROUND #TN112
Here is the bright red Oriental turnip that has become so hard to find! It produces
small, tender globe-shaped roots that look so stunning in their red color; the
stems are also red. Roots are crisp, small and perfect for fresh eating or cooked.
This rare turnip is fun and fast-growing. Our favorite. Pkt (100 seeds) $2.50
SHOGOIN #TN109
A popular Japanese variety that has high quality, smooth white roots and
delicious, mild-tasting greens. Perfect for steaming or frying. Harvest leaves in
just 30 days. Pkt $1.50
SNOWBALL #TN107
Mentioned as the main market variety supplying the London, England
markets, in “The vegetable Garden” by Vilmorin-Andrieux, 1920. Fine white
roots have a mild flavor. Pkt $1.75
WHITE EGG #TN102
This very old pre-1880’s heirloom was a top market variety in the US. A
smooth, white turnip with quality, mild, white flesh; an early variety. Pkt $1.50
Purple Top White Globe Turnip
158 www.rareseeds.com