How to Grow Purple Top Tokyo Cross
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Purple Top Tokyo Cross
Brassica rapa subsp. rapa
vegetablePurple Top Tokyo Cross is a hybrid turnip variety prized for its tender, sweet roots with distinctive purple tops and white bottoms, and highly palatable greens. This fast-maturing variety produces both edible roots and nutritious leafy tops, making it exceptionally versatile. It's an excellent choice for home gardeners seeking a reliable, quick-growing turnip with superior flavor and texture.
When should you plant Purple Top Tokyo Cross in your zone?
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Example Purple Top Tokyo Cross timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Purple Top Tokyo Cross
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Purple Top Tokyo Cross
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Purple Top Tokyo Cross dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 2-9; prefers cool-season growing conditions
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Seedling
2-3 weeksSmall cotyledons emerge, followed by true leaves. Plants are delicate and low to the ground.
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings at 2-3 weeks to prevent overcrowding. Remove weaker plants to achieve proper spacing.
Vegetative
2-3 weeksRapid foliage development with multiple leaves emerging from the crown. No visible root swelling yet; plants are leafy and bushy.
Maintain consistent moisture and cool temperatures. Thin to final spacing. Begin light harvesting of outer leaves if desired. Monitor for flea beetles.
Root Development
2-3 weeksPurple coloring appears on the shoulder of the root as it begins to bulge above soil. Leaves continue to grow alongside root expansion.
Continue consistent watering. Do not allow soil to dry out or roots will become woody and fibrous. Maintain cool conditions if possible.
Maturation
1-2 weeksRoots reach 2-3 inches in diameter with distinctive purple tops and white bottoms. Greens are full and tender. Plants signal readiness to harvest.
Harvest roots when they reach desired size (2-3 inches); larger roots may become tough. Greens can be harvested continuously throughout growth.
Harvest
Variable based on useBoth roots and greens are at peak quality for consumption.
Pull plants or cut roots with a knife. Harvest greens when tender and young for best flavor. Store roots in cool conditions; greens best used fresh.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use floating row covers, apply neem oil or spinosad, dust with diatomaceous earth, plant trap crops like radishes
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Use fine mesh netting, apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), hand-pick caterpillars, encourage beneficial wasps
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Remove affected leaves, apply insecticidal soap, spray with neem oil in early morning or evening
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Use row covers, apply beneficial nematodes to soil, practice crop rotation, exclude females with fine screening
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Spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, encourage natural predators like ladybugs
Uses
Root vegetable - roasted, boiled, or raw
CulinaryThe sweet, tender roots are excellent roasted with olive oil, boiled and mashed, thinly sliced raw in salads, or pickled. Purple Top Tokyo Cross is prized for its superior flavor and texture compared to many turnip varieties. [source]
Greens - cooked like spinach
CulinaryThe young, tender leaves offer a mild, slightly peppery flavor when sautéed, steamed, or added to soups. Turnip greens are rich in vitamins A, C, and K and can be harvested throughout the growing season. [source]
Vitamin-rich nutrition
MedicinalBoth roots and greens are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and glucosinolates (compounds with potential anti-cancer properties). Turnips are low in calories and support digestive and immune health. [source]
Long-term storage crop
HouseholdPurple Top Tokyo Cross roots store well in cool, humid conditions, making them valuable for fall/winter storage in root cellars or refrigeration, providing fresh vegetables long after harvest. [source]
Beneficial insect habitat
WildlifeTurnip flowers (if plants bolt) attract pollinators and beneficial insects. The foliage provides habitat for predatory insects that control garden pests. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest roots when they reach 2-3 inches in diameter for optimal tenderness and flavor; avoid allowing them to grow beyond 4 inches as they become woody and pithy. For dual-purpose harvest, pick tender greens at any time but especially when young (4-6 inches tall). Roots can be pulled by hand or gently dug up. Greens are best used fresh but roots can be stored in cool, humid conditions (32-40°F) for 3-4 weeks. Spring and fall crops typically offer better flavor than summer harvests.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Purple Top Tokyo Cross is a Japanese heirloom-inspired hybrid that became popular in American home gardens for its exceptional dual-purpose harvest of both tender roots and nutritious greens.
- 🌱 The distinctive purple-top coloring develops due to anthocyanin pigments that intensify with cool weather and adequate sunlight, making fall crops often more vibrant than spring crops.
- 🌱 Turnips are among the fastest-maturing brassicas, ready for harvest in less than two months, making them ideal for succession planting throughout the cool season.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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