Purple Top Turnip Seeds

Purple Top Turnips are a cool-season, annual cover crop known for their fast growth and ability to scavenge nutrients. With their deep roots, they help reduce soil compaction and improve water infiltration, making them an excellent choice for improving soil health. These turnips also provide high-quality forage for livestock and offer weed suppression.

• Excellent Forage for Livestock: Purple Top Turnips offer nutritious grazing options, especially in cooler months.

• Soil Health Benefits: Their deep root system helps improve soil structure and water retention.

• Effective Weed Control: Purple Top Turnips naturally suppress weeds through their dense growth.

Type: Broadleaf
Season: Cool Season

Seeding & Growth

Precision: 2 lb/A
Drilled: 3 lb/A, 1/4" to 1/2"
Broadcast: 4 lb/A
Aerial: 5 lb/A

Dates: 3-10 weeks before average first frost

Frequently Asked Questions: Black Oats

How do Purple Top Turnips benefit the soil compared to other cover crops?

Purple Top Turnips are highly effective at breaking up compacted soil with their deep roots. Unlike some other cover crops, their allelopathic properties also help suppress small-seeded weeds, providing an additional layer of protection to the soil.

Can Purple Top Turnips be grown as a single crop or should they be mixed with others?

Purple Top Turnips can be used both as a single cover crop or in combination with others, such as grasses or legumes. When mixed, they create a dynamic system that enhances soil health, nitrogen fixation, and weed suppression. For best results, consider consulting a specialist on optimal mix combinations.

How do Purple Top Turnips improve water retention in the soil?

Purple Top Turnips help with water infiltration through their deep root system, which creates channels for water to penetrate the soil. This is especially beneficial in compact soils, where water can easily run off without proper infiltration.

Can I harvest the roots of Purple Top Turnips for food or livestock feed?

Yes, the roots of Purple Top Turnips are edible and can be used as livestock feed, providing a nutritious option during the winter months. However, they are primarily grown as a cover crop and forage for grazing animals.

How quickly do Purple Top Turnips establish compared to other cover crops?

Purple Top Turnips establish quickly, typically germinating in 6-8 days and reaching their full height within 60-90 days. This rapid growth makes them highly effective at providing immediate soil cover and protection.

Are there any specific soil types where Purple Top Turnips perform best?

Purple Top Turnips thrive in well-drained, loamy soils but are adaptable to various soil types. However, they prefer soils with good moisture retention and will not perform well in heavy, waterlogged soils.

Do I need to worry about Purple Top Turnips being too aggressive or invasive?

No, Purple Top Turnips are not considered invasive. They are annual plants that die off after a single growing season, which makes them ideal for crop rotation and seasonal soil improvement. They won't establish permanent roots and will not compete with subsequent crops the following year.