Golden Globe Turnip is a heritage variety that has been delighting gardeners since before 1859, and it remains one of the most reliable turnips to grow today. This Brassica rapa produces perfectly formed 3-4 inch amber globes with fine-grained, smooth flesh that never turns woody even when left to mature larger than usual. Ready to harvest in 70-79 days (with some sources reporting as few as 55 days), it thrives in full sun and rewards gardeners with roots that store beautifully through winter and greens that are excellent for cooking.
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
24 in
Height
12 in
Width
6 in
Spacing
70–79
Days to Harvest
PeriodAnnual, Biennial
TypeForb/herb
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-10
Size
24in H x 12in W
Growth
Annual, Biennial
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
What makes Golden Globe special is its legendary reliability and flavor. The smooth, meaty roots resist the woodiness that plagues so many turnip varieties, making this the turnip that might convert skeptics into genuine enthusiasts. It shines equally as a quick spring crop or a storage vegetable for fall harvests, and the tender greens are as much a prize as the roots themselves. This is a variety that has endured for over 165 years because it genuinely delivers on every front.
Common Uses
Golden Globe Turnip excels both as a tender young root to harvest at golf-ball size and as a storage crop for winter eating. Young roots are perfect for quick sautéing with garlic and finished with soy sauce, or sliced thinly for raw salads where their fine texture shines. The greens deserve equal attention, they're tender and flavorful when steamed or braised, especially when harvested young. Mature roots store exceptionally well in cool conditions, making them ideal for root cellar preservation and gradual winter use.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
N/a
First Harvest
Late Spring
Last Harvest
Early Winter
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds in spring as soon as soil can be worked, or in mid to late summer for fall harvest. Plant seeds directly into the garden bed where they will grow.
Harvesting
Golden Globe Turnip reaches harvest maturity in 70-79 days from sowing, though some plantings mature as quickly as 55 days. You can harvest young roots at golf-ball size (around 2 inches) for the most tender, delicate flavor, or wait until they reach the classic 3-4 inch size for fuller flavor development. The beauty of this variety is that even at larger sizes, the fine-grained flesh resists becoming woody or bitter. Twist or gently pull roots from the soil once they're the desired size. The greens can be harvested continuously during growth or all at once at the same time as the root.
Growing Calendar
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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)
History & Origin
“Golden Globe Turnip was already an established favorite by 1859, which means it likely emerged from European turnip breeding in the 17th or 18th century. Its longevity in cultivation speaks to its consistent performance and flavor, seed companies continue to offer it because gardeners keep requesting it. This is a variety that earned its place at the table through genuine merit, not marketing, and has been passed down through generations of home gardeners and market farmers who recognized a dependable thing when they found it.”