How to Grow Turnip Tokyo Cross

Turnip Tokyo Cross

Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

vegetable

Tokyo Cross is a hybrid turnip variety known for its small, tender, sweet roots and edible greens. It matures quickly in 35-45 days, making it ideal for succession planting and quick harvests. This Japanese heirloom produces uniform, globe-shaped white roots with mild flavor perfect for both raw and cooked preparations.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily; tolerates partial shade

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Water: Consistent, even moisture; 1-1.5 inches per week. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged to prevent root cracking and ensure tender roots

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Spacing: 3-4 inches apart in rows 12-15 inches apart; thin seedlings to proper spacing inches

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Days to maturity: 35-45 days

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Planting depth: 0.25-0.5 inches

Soil

Type: Well-draining, loose loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost aged manure peat moss for moisture retention

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9; grows best as a cool-season crop in spring and fall

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Seedling

1-2 weeks

Cotyledons emerge within 5-10 days. True leaves appear as two small oval leaflets. Seedlings are delicate and pale green.

Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings when 2-3 inches tall to prevent crowding. Provide bright light to prevent leggy growth.

Vegetative/Leaf Development

2-3 weeks

Plants develop 4-6 true leaves. Greens become bushy and dark green. Roots begin forming underground but are still tiny.

Continue thinning to final spacing of 3-4 inches. Water consistently. Begin light fertilizing with balanced fertilizer or nitrogen source.

Root Expansion

2-3 weeks

Roots swell noticeably, pushing through soil. Greens continue growing. Plants appear full and vigorous with dark foliage.

Maintain consistent moisture to ensure smooth, tender roots. Avoid high nitrogen which encourages excessive top growth. Monitor for pests actively.

Harvest Readiness

1 week

Roots reach 1.5-2.5 inches in diameter; skin appears smooth and white with purple crown. Greens are fully developed and tender.

Stop fertilizing. Maintain steady moisture but reduce slightly. Begin harvesting when roots reach desired size; Tokyo Cross is best harvested young.

Mature/Over-mature

Variable

Roots exceed 3 inches diameter and become woody and fibrous. Greens may bolt or become tough if not harvested.

Harvest immediately; roots become less tender and less flavorful. Overwintering possible in mild climates with adequate mulch.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lettuce Spinach Kale Peas Beans Cilantro Dill Carrot Cabbage

Avoid planting near:

Mustard Radish Broccoli Cauliflower Other brassicas (high pest competition)

Common Pests

Use row covers during early growth. Apply neem oil or spinosad. Dust with diatomaceous earth. Keep weeds trimmed to reduce habitat.
Hand-pick caterpillars. Use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray. Install floating row covers. Encourage natural parasitic wasps.
Spray with strong water stream. Use insecticidal soap. Apply neem oil. Introduce ladybugs and lacewings.
Use row covers until flowering begins. Apply beneficial nematodes to soil. Rotate crops yearly. Remove infested plants promptly.
Yellow sticky traps. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators. Vacuum off with handheld device.

Uses

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Raw and cooked vegetable

Culinary

Tokyo Cross turnips have sweet, mild, tender flesh excellent for raw slicing in salads, quick stir-fries, roasting, steaming, or pickling. The young greens are also edible and nutritious with a slightly peppery flavor, similar to other brassica greens. [source]

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Japanese cuisine staple

Culinary

This Japanese heirloom variety is a traditional ingredient in Asian cooking, commonly used in miso soups, stir-fries, and braised dishes. Its small size and tender texture make it ideal for whole turnips in Japanese and Asian recipes. [source]

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Nutritional powerhouse

Medicinal

Turnips are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. The glucosinolates in brassicas like turnips are being researched for potential cancer-fighting properties and support healthy digestion. [source]

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Wildlife and pollinator garden

Wildlife

Allowing some plants to flower provides nectar for bees and other pollinators. The entire plant supports diverse garden ecosystems and beneficial insects. [source]

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Garden succession cropping

Household

Tokyo Cross's short 35-45 day maturity makes it perfect for succession planting throughout the season, providing continuous harvests and efficient use of garden space. [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 when roots are 1.5-2.5 inches in diameter for best texture and flavor; Tokyo Cross is prized for small, tender roots. Roots are ready 35-45 days from sowing. Harvest by gently pulling or loosening soil around roots. Both roots and tender greens are edible and can be harvested together. For continuous harvest, succession plant every 2 weeks. Best flavor in cool weather; spring and fall crops are superior to summer sowings.

Fun Facts

🌱 Tokyo Cross was developed in Japan and is sometimes called 'Kabu' (the Japanese word for turnip). Its name references the growing preference for small, tender turnips in modern Japanese cuisine.
🌱 Tokyo Cross turnips can be harvested as babies at just 1-1.5 inches diameter for maximum tenderness, or left to grow slightly larger. This flexibility makes it perfect for small-space gardening and container cultivation.
🌱 Both the roots and greens are edible, making this a high-yield crop. A single planting produces two harvests: tender leaves early in the season and sweet roots at maturity.

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