The new varieties of Brassica rapa, like ‘Market Express’, are full of flavor and can be eaten raw. Add this easy-to-grow vegetable to your list for fresh, crunchy roots for salads and sandwiches. Wendy Moulton will take you through all the care instructions for growing the new-era turnip in the vegetable garden. Turnips have a name for themselves as bitter, hard root vegetables that must be boiled and mashed with plenty of seasoning and butter to make them taste like anything. Well, that is far from the truth with the new types of turnips to grow, like ‘Market Express’. These turnips are pure white round roots with a fresh, crunchy flavor like a sweet radish that can be eaten raw. Like all Brassicas, this turnip likes cool climates. In as little as 30 days, you can harvest the first crop of baby roots and, in another 10 days, the full-sized versions, which will be about four to five inches in diameter. Don’t leave out the green tops; they are edible, too, with a mild spicy flavor that can be used in many dishes, including stew and stir-fries. In Scotland, turnips or swedes are called ‘neeps’ and often accompany ‘tatties’ (potatoes) to be served with the traditional Scottish haggis. Tatties and neeps are often cooked together in a pot of boiling water until soft and then mashed with seasoning and butter to serve as the traditional side dish of the land. Turnips like ‘Market Express’ can also be cooked in the same way. What Are ‘Market Express’ Turnips? Inspired by Japanese market turnips, this cold-tolerant crop produces small, round, pure white roots with a crunchy, sweet, radish-like flavor. This variety is known for its abundant green leaves, which can be used like any other salad ingredient or herb. Turnips are often cultivated as a forage crop for wildlife and livestock, and this variety is particularly good because of its leafy growth. Native Area The original strain of Brassica rapa was found in North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. It was domesticated many centuries ago as an edible vegetable. The crop was an important part of the ancient Roman diet and was cultivated first in northern Europe. It then spread to China, Japan, and, finally, the rest of the world. Characteristics Brassica rapa shares characteristics with the other brassicas in the family, like cabbages, cauliflower, and mustard, with similar leaves and flowers. The fuzzy green leaves of ‘Market Express’ look similar to mustard greens. The roots are a good source of vitamin C, and the greens are full of healthy calcium, vitamin E, and folic acid, which is important for cell growth and function. This variety has round white roots with smooth skin. Planting Sow ‘Market Express’ in spring or late summer. It is best to sow seed directly into well-prepared beds rather than in trays as they don’t like their roots disturbed. Sow seed two to four weeks before the last average frost date or when the soil temperature reaches 50°F (10°C). For a bumper harvest, succession sow seed every two weeks. For warmer climates, sow seed in the fall and grow as a cool-season crop as with any other brassicas. ‘Market Express’ will germinate within seven to fourteen days and will be fully mature in 45-50 days. Baby roots can be harvested as early as 30 days. How to Grow Although these turnips are very straightforward to grow, there are a few things to note to achieve the best results. Let’s look at what they prefer: Maintenance ‘Market Express’ turnips don’t require any maintenance. It’s best to harvest the roots before they get old and woody. If they have not been harvested soon after they’re fully mature, pull them all and add them to the compost heap. Look out for any pests and diseases, and that’s all that is required.

Superbena® are trailing, mounding, and cascading hybrid plants. Their versatility and variety make them excellent candidates for large containers, borders, and tree wells. Give them the care they need, and they’ll fill your garden with endless blooms from spring through fall. Relatively new to the garden market, Superbenas® bloom more than most other annual bedding plants. They fill the yard with white, purple, red, orange, pink, and multicolor blossoms in tight clusters. New types come out every few years that are vigorous, colorful, and hardy. These varieties are hybrids bred for their mounding, spreading habit, and prolific blooms. They’ll fit perfectly between your sunflowers, zinnias, and petunias. Tuck them in alongside other plants, or give them their own space and see how large they can grow. No matter which variety you choose, you’ll enjoy these plants’ easygoing habits and radiant, eye-catching flower clusters. Give them the care they need, and they’ll thrive throughout the warm months. What Is It? Unlike most plant cultivars and varieties, these hybrids result from many different crosses between various species. Their diverse parental lineage makes them unique, and it gives them the attractive qualities we enjoy in the garden. Origin Superbena® lacks a native area because it’s the product of many controlled crosses between various species. Breeders transferred pollen from one species to another. They then grew the resulting seeds into seedlings that were unique, new specimens. With many crosses over many years, the resulting specimens look quite different from their parents. Though commonly referred to as verbenas, these hybrids, alongside other verbenas, were recently reclassified from the genus Verbena to Glandularia. Most hybrid verbenas result from crosses between these four species: Glandularia peruviana Glandularia phlogiflora Glandularia platensis Glandularia tweedieana Superbena® cultivars are licensed by the Proven Winners® ornamental plant company—they control the sale and distribution of the many different varieties. As new types come out, old ones become difficult to find. If you see the type you like, grab it! You may not be able to find it again. Characteristics With both mounding and trailing habits, these verbenas are variable in the way they grow. They’ll mound and spread along the ground like a ground cover, or they’ll spill over the edges of containers and raised beds. Their varied growth habits allow them to fit into many different spaces in the garden, whether they’re open, elevated, or narrow. Superbena® grow toothed leaves that resemble catnip foliage. They’re bright green, providing a rich backdrop for the alluring blooms. They sprout from green stems that stay shorter than a foot tall. When trailing from baskets, the stems may reach two feet long with blooms and leaves along them. Though most gardeners use these hybrids as annual bedding plants, they’re perennials in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. They’re frost-tender, dying back as cold temperatures arrive in autumn and winter. Planting You can’t grow Superbena® from seeds, as they’re typically sold to licensed wholesale growers and distributors. Nurseries grow seeds into seedlings, or “plugs,” which they transplant into white containers and sell to big-box garden centers. Look for the Proven Winners® white pots at your local plant store to find your favorite.

If you don’t like turnips, this delightful, sweet gourmet root will change your mind! Former organic farmer and vegetable expert Logan Hailey digs into simple growing tips for refreshing crunchy Japanese turnips that even kids will crave! If you don’t like turnips, this delightful, sweet, gourmet root will change your mind! A lot of people wrinkle their noses at the thought of turnips. These mustard-family roots often get a bad rap for their slightly bitter taste, brownish-purple color, and association with “poor man’s” cuisine. But the Japanese ‘Hakurei’ turnip turns all these generalizations on their head. Its crisp, buttery smooth texture and mild refreshing flavor are wrapped in a gorgeous white package that tastes so sweet and juicy that it’s hard to even call it a turnip! ‘Hakurei’ turnips are the trendy foodie cousins of your grandma’s classic purple top turnips. The snow-white rounded roots have a delicate fruity flavor tasty enough to eat raw! They have recently gained popularity in American farm-to-table cuisine. Once you try them, you’ll probably never garden without them again. The ‘Hakurei’ is remarkably easy to grow, requiring similar space and maintenance to a radish. Just be sure you sow a lot because these roots disappear quickly once you discover how tasty they are straight from the garden. Let’s dig into everything you need to know about growing sweet Japanese turnips! Surely, they will reclaim the humble turnip’s reputation in the garden! History and Cultivation Turnips and their rutabaga relatives have been cultivated for thousands of years. Because the turnip root is so hardy, frost-resilient, and easy to grow, they were often considered a food source for the poor. The easily storable roots provided enough sustenance for farmers and livestock throughout the winter. European aristocrats refused to eat them. However, this humble vegetable was a staple for a reason: it is remarkably resilient! Turnips are simple to cultivate, low-maintenance, easy to store, and nutritious. Their native origins likely came from wild mustards growing throughout Europe and Asia. As members of the Brassicaceae or cruciferous family of vegetables, turnips are also related to broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. What is ‘Hakurei’ Turnip? ‘Hakurei’ is a variety of turnips with tender white round roots best harvested when they reach golf-ball size or slightly larger. The flavor is delicate and slightly fruity, between an apple and a mild radish. Unlike their dense storage root relatives, these fresh-eating turnips don’t need to be cooked and are often best enjoyed straight from the garden! You can prepare them in salads, slaws, kimchi, quick pickles, soups, roasts, and sautés across many cuisines. Also known as Tokyo turnips, salad turnips, or Japanese turnips, ‘Hakurei’ was developed in Japan around World War II and has since become a popular hybrid seed variety widely available in the United States. The root vegetable has a juicy, refreshing sweetness that can be enjoyed raw, pickled, boiled, or roasted, setting it apart from the dense starchiness of standard turnips or potatoes. Where Did ‘Hakurei’ Turnips Originate? ‘Hakurei’ turnips were developed by plant breeders in Japan during World War II. The mildly sweet, buttery-crisp roots have thin, pearly white skin that doesn’t require peeling or much cooking. As Japanese people faced severe food shortages in the 1940s and 50s, farmers and gardeners turned to this quick-growing, nutrient-dense crop to help feed masses of hungry people. Recall that Japan was prohibited from trade with the United States in 1941. Previously, they were heavily dependent on food imports. Farmers were forced to jump into action when international food was cut off practically overnight. ‘Hakurei’ turnips became an important substitute for the inadequate rations of rice, beans, and insects. They grow quickly and easily and can be eaten fresh. Propagation If you’ve ever grown a radish, you’ll be delighted to find that the delectably smooth and crisp ‘Hakurei’ requires almost the exact same care and conditions. The small black brassica seeds are best sown directly in the garden. Direct Sowing The best time to plant turnips is in the cool weather of fall or spring. However, you can plan for multiple successions of ‘Hakurei’ turnips throughout early summer. The plants tolerate moderate frost but prefer to germinate in cozy soil around 65-80°F. If you’re unsure, use a soil thermometer probe before planting. Prepare a weed-free seed bed, optionally raking smooth a 1” layer of compost over the surface. Create shallow furrows ¼” to ½” deep in rows 12-18” apart. Disperse the turnip seeds in 2-4” wide bands, each seed about 1-2” apart. Sowing in Clusters Some farmers sow in clusters of 2-3 seeds every 2”, allowing you to selectively harvest and thin them as they mature. Like radishes, salad turnips don’t mind growing in little bunches as long as there is room for each bulb to grow 1-2” in diameter. Avoid sowing too densely, or it will be difficult to sort through the jumble of greens to properly thin. Gently cover with a thin layer of soil. Avoid burying too deeply, or the seeds may not have enough energy to reach the surface. Maintain continuous moisture with a watering can or fan-nozzle hose. Germination takes 7-14 days. After germination, you can use your fingernails to pinch away any overcrowded seedlings. Be careful not to yank or disturb the baby plants you want to keep. Row Cover is Highly Recommended A row cover is highly recommended no matter where you direct seed your salad turnips. These quick-growing roots are, unfortunately, very popular amongst flea beetles. The flea beetles prey on young crops and can decimate the leaves with a million tiny shotgun holes that can quickly skeletonize seedlings. As an organic farmer, I never ever seeded turnips without a row cover. I left the row covers over the plants for the entirety of their 30 to 40-day lifecycle. The row fabric creates a physical barrier to keep pests out. It also creates a warm microclimate that can speed up germination. ‘Hakurei’ turnips grown under cover yield more beautiful, flawless, and blemish-free pearly white roots with tender mustardy greens. The key to successful row cover use is installing irrigation underneath the fabric. The soil moisture will be uneven if you try to overhead water through the fabric. It’s best to use drip lines or soaker hoses under the fabric. Otherwise, remove the fabric to water with a hose and drape it back over the top. No hoops are required for this low-growing crop. The fabric can gently “float” over the surface of the greens. Be sure you weigh down the edges with sandbags or smooth rocks to prevent the cover from blowing away. Transplanting from Cell Trays While less common, you can also transplant these turnips or grow them in containers. Many people believe it’s not possible to transplant taproot crops (this is true for carrots and fragile cucurbits), but turnips don’t mind transplanting. This is a great way to get a head start in spring and protect young plants from pests. Biodegradable pots or a paper pot are the best for transplanting root crops because you don’t have to remove the plant from the container. If you don’t have access to biodegradable pots, you can use a 144-cell tray. Fill containers with a well-drained soil mix and sow clusters of 2-3 turnip seeds in each cell. Seeds should be planted ¼ to ½ inch deep and lightly covered with vermiculite or potting mix. Maintain consistent moisture until germination, keeping the trays in the same full sunlight area as your other seedlings. When the seedlings are 2-4” tall, you can prepare them for transplanting by slowly reducing water and hardening them off for a few nights outdoors. Planting The best time to plant gourmet salad turnips is spring or fall. However, in mild climates, these quick-turnaround root crops can be sown in continuous succession throughout the summer. Here are some more details for a streamlined and successful planting process: How to Grow You will have no problem growing Tokyo turnips if you’ve successfully grown a radish. The keys to success are: Using row cover Loamy, well-drained soil Consistent moisture Proper spacing and thinning Timing your harvest