Shogoin turnip is a quick-maturing Japanese variety that delivers dual-purpose harvests: tender, mild-flavored white globes alongside nutritious greens that can stretch two feet tall. Ready in 40 to 49 days (some sources extend to 60), this cool-season annual thrives in full sun and rewards patient gardeners with roots that reach their peak quality at 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Recommended by agricultural extension offices across Florida, Oregon, and Texas, Shogoin has proven itself a reliable performer in diverse growing regions.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-10
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained Loam, Tolerates Poor Soils
Preferred Temp55-75°F
Growth Stats
—
Height
—
Width
6 in
Spacing
40–49
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Biennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-10
Size
?in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual, Biennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
The roots arrive as pristine white globes with fine-grained flesh, mild enough for raw slicing yet substantial enough for soups and stir-fries. What truly sets Shogoin apart is its generous foliage: the greens grow tall and tender, steamed or sautéed into a meal that's completely separate from the root harvest. The quick maturity makes it an excellent fall crop, filling the gap between summer harvests and winter dormancy with reliable speed.
Common Uses
Shogoin turnip serves multiple purposes at the kitchen table. The roots slice beautifully for relish platters, can be boiled or mashed as a cooked vegetable, and contribute substance to soups and stir-fries with their mild, slightly sweet character. The greens are best steamed or braised, making Shogoin one of the few turnip varieties where both parts of the plant command equal attention from the cook.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Not Applicable
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Late Summer
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow Shogoin turnip seeds outdoors in cool-season windows: early spring as soon as soil is workable, or 8 to 10 weeks before your first fall frost for a superior autumn harvest. Press seeds directly into moist soil and keep the seedbed consistently damp until germination occurs.
Harvesting
Roots reach peak quality and texture when they measure 3 to 4 inches in diameter; harvest at this stage for the mildest flavor and finest-grained flesh. You can begin thinning greens for use as soon as leaves are large enough to handle, which encourages fuller foliage growth and doesn't compromise root development. Pull roots by grasping at the soil line and tugging gently, or use a fork to loosen the soil first if roots feel resistant.
Growing Calendar
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Scientific Classification
Brassica rapa L.
Family
Brassicaceae
Genus
Brassica
Duration
Annual, Biennial
Native Status
L48 (I)AK (I)HI (I)CAN (I)GL (I)