About Purple-Top Turnip
Purple-top turnips are a fast-establishing cool-season annual brassica capable of producing over 8 tons of forage per acre on fertile soils, making them one of the most economical food plot crops available. Both the leafy tops and the root bulb are consumed by deer, though deer typically avoid the bitter young tops until frost converts the glucosinolates to sugars. Turnips work best in mixtures with cereal grains or radish so that deer have early-season options before the turnips peak in palatability.
How much Purple-Top Turnip seed per acre?
The standard broadcast seeding rate for Purple-Top Turnip is 4–5 lbs per acre, dropping to about 2.5 lbs per acre when drilled. 5 lb/ac for pure stand; 2 lb/ac when included in a brassica blend. Small seed is easy to over-apply — calibrate spreader carefully. The calculator above scales this to your exact plot size and converts it into the number of retail bags to buy.
When to plant Purple-Top Turnip
Purple-Top Turnip is a cool-season crop. In the northern US, plant in Jul–Aug; farther south, plant in Aug–Sep. Sow it 1/8" deep and plan on 75–90.
Soil, pH & fertilizer
Aim for a soil pH near 6.5(don't go below ~6). 300 lb/ac 19-19-19 at planting. Nitrogen is critical for bulb development; brassicas are heavy feeders. Not sure where your soil sits? Read our soil test & lime guide.
Purple-Top Turnip blends well with cereal rye, forage radish, rape, kale, Austrian winter peas if you want a more diverse, resilient plot.
Purple-Top Turnip FAQ
- How much Purple-Top Turnip seed do I need per acre?
- Broadcast Purple-Top Turnip at about 4–5 lbs per acre, or 2.5 lbs per acre if you drill it. 5 lb/ac for pure stand; 2 lb/ac when included in a brassica blend. Small seed is easy to over-apply — calibrate spreader carefully.
- When should I plant Purple-Top Turnip?
- In the northern US plant in Jul–Aug; in the South plant in Aug–Sep. Expect 75–90.
- What soil pH does Purple-Top Turnip need?
- Purple-Top Turnip does best at a soil pH around 6.5 (minimum ~6). 300 lb/ac 19-19-19 at planting. Nitrogen is critical for bulb development; brassicas are heavy feeders.
- Do deer like Purple-Top Turnip?
- Deer preference: seasonal — tops rarely eaten until frost; high after 2+ hard frosts; roots highly sought through winter.