Gold Ball Turnip Seeds

Brassica rapa s. rapa

From Ophidian Farms - always organic!

45 days.  Listed in the Album Vilmorin (1854-55) as Robertson’s Golden Ball, also known as Orange Jelly. The skin is smooth and yellow and the soft flesh is golden-yellow, and yes, perhaps the color of orange marmalade without the rinds. Rather broad leaves of medium height. Although the globes reach 4–5" at full size, they achieve peak flavor and maximum sweetness at 3" in diameter. Alan LePage says “better than rutabagas or any other turnip.” A good keeper; he was selling them into March. Maryland market grower Brett Grohsgal concurs, Gold Ball “comes into its own after the frosts and freezes have begun…remains mild and nutty [with] a firm, near-perfect texture. Best simmered or roasted. Pleases even those retail customers who don’t really like other turnips, and a strong seller with our chefs.”

Heirloom, open-pollinated, organically-grown seeds.

Botanical Names: Brassica rapa s. rapa
Family: Brassicaceae
Common Names: White Egg Turnip
Life Cycle: Biennial
Plant Type: Root Vegetable + Greens

Requirements:

Sowing: A cool weather crop, turnips thrive when planted three weeks before the last frost in the spring, or after the hottest part of summer for a fall crop. Direct sow Purple Top White Globe turnip seeds in rich, deeply worked soil and full sun, 1/2" deep in rows 12-18" apart; as the seedlings grow, thin them to 4-6" apart.

Growing: Apply mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds. Watch out for pests such as the red and black harlequin bug, which must be removed to prevent damage.

Harvesting: Harvest greens as soon as they reach a good size for eating; if using both the greens and the root, harvest only 2-3 leaves per root. Since small turnips have the most tenderness and flavor, pull them when they reach a size of 1-3". To store them for extended periods, cut the top down to 1/2" and store in a cool, dark place without washing off the dirt. Gardeners with warmer winters will be able to apply a layer of mulch and leave the crop in the ground all winter. Purple Top White Globe turnips store very well.

Seed Saving: Turnips will cross pollinate with other varieties of turnips, and should be isolated to ensure genetic purity. This vegetable must overwinter before producing seed. In warmer climates, a layer of mulch will be sufficient for protection. In colder climates, dig up the turnips; cut the tops to 1" and store them in damp sand at 33-40 degrees F until replanting in spring. The roots will send up flowering stalks. When the seed pods begin to turn brown, remove them before they shatter or dig up the entire plant and hang it upside down in a protected location to dry. Thresh the seed from the dry pods by crushing them. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place for up to 4 years.

Approximately 429 seeds / gram

Auction is for 1 packet = 215 seeds

Germination rate = 90 %

Harvested fresh in fall of 2022, for sale through 2023!

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