Senga's Blog
Eco-chic Outdoor Living & Exterior Design
Mar. 9/2010 – The Planning Stage: Turnip 'Early Snowball'
Confession time here – I think I have had turnips maybe 1-2 times ever in my life and I am pretty sure they were camouflaged with a myriad of other root vegetables in a dish served at some high end restaurant in Vancouver whose claim to fame is that it serves food via the 100 mile coupled with the slow food (whatever is in season) philosophy. My memory is so vague I can’t even remember what they actually taste like. But in 40 (weather cooperating) or so days I am about to find out.
One of the Most Important Vegetables of Our Time
Turnips are a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, along with broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard greens and more.
Turnips have been enjoyed since ancient times, when they were cultivated nearly 4,000 years ago in the Near East. This round, apple-sized vegetable was prized by the Greeks and the Romans, and was even called one of the most important vegetables of the time by ancient author Pliny the Elder.
The turnip's root is high only in Vitamin C. The green leaves of the turnip top ("turnip greens") are a good source of Vitamin A, foliate, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and calcium. Turnip greens are high in lutein. These veggies also include a dozen or more health-promoting compounds that can fight cancer and other illnesses.
Turnip ‘Early Snowball’ Information You Need to Know
Botanical name: Brassica rapa var. rapa
Common Name: Early Snowball Turnip
Country of Origin: Very ancient – it was long established during Roman Times
Description: The entire root is roughly conical, but can be occasionally tomato-shaped, about 5–20 centimeters in diameter. The leaves grow directly from the above-ground shoulder of the root, with little or no visible crown or neck
Best harvested: Harvest them they get larger than a tennis ball for the best flavour.
Time to Plant: Outdoors March 1 (under cloches) until early summer June 1
Where to Sow and Grow: Turnips grow best on rich well manured soil but will grow on ordinary fertile soil to which has been added plenty of well rotted compost
Space: 10cm (4”) apart.
Maturity: 40 Days
Tip: Turnips should be grown quickly and kept well watered.
Taste: Early, juicy and sweet flavoured
Uses:
• Wrapped in wild onions and leaves, then roasted over a fire
• Mashed along with potatoes and served with butter
• Used instead of cabbage to make coleslaw and sauerkraut
• Used instead of pumpkins to make jack o' lanterns
• Tops can be used as turnip greens
• Fodder for animals
In Square Foot Garden: On my edible green roof – already planted last week allocating 2 squares worth = 32 turnips
