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Showing dates for Tokyo Cross Turnip in USDA Zone 7
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Tokyo Cross Turnip · Zones 2–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | April – May | June – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – May | May – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – September | May – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | March – September | May – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – October | April – December |
| Zone 8 | — | — | February – November | March – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | January – December | February – January |
Complete Growing Guide
Tokyo Cross turnip thrives in cool weather, making it perfect for spring and fall cultivation. You'll want to prepare your planting site with well-draining soil enriched with 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure. This variety performs best in soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0, so test and amend accordingly with lime if needed.
Direct sowing is the only viable method for Tokyo Cross turnips, as they don't transplant well due to their taproot. Plant seeds 2-4 weeks before your last spring frost when soil temperatures reach 45-65°F. For your fall crop, sow 10-12 weeks before the first hard frost. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in rows spaced 12 inches apart, then thin seedlings to 4-6 inches apart when they reach 2 inches tall.
Fertilize at planting with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, applying 1 tablespoon per square foot and working it into the top 3 inches of soil. Side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer like blood meal when plants are 3 weeks old to promote both root and leaf development. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen late in the season, as this encourages leaf growth at the expense of root development.
Consistent moisture is crucial – maintain 1 inch of water weekly through drip irrigation or soaker hoses to prevent roots from becoming woody or splitting. Mulch around plants with 2 inches of straw to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch 2 inches away from stems to prevent pest issues.
Common mistakes include planting too deep (seeds won't germinate well), overcrowding (leads to small, malformed roots), and harvesting too late (roots become pithy). In zones 3-5, focus on spring plantings and early fall sowings. In zones 6-9, you can succession plant every 2-3 weeks from early spring through mid-fall, skipping the hot summer months. Southern gardeners in zones 8-9 should treat this as a winter crop, planting from October through February.
Harvesting
Harvest Tokyo Cross turnips when roots reach 2-3 inches in diameter, typically 35-40 days from seeding. The roots should feel firm when gently squeezed and have smooth, bright white skin with no cracks or blemishes. Don't wait for maximum size – smaller turnips offer the sweetest, most tender flavor that this variety is famous for.
Perform the 'shoulder test' by gently brushing soil away from the top of the root. If the shoulder (top portion) shows white and measures 2+ inches across, it's ready. Harvest in the morning when roots are most crisp and full of moisture. Grasp the greens close to the root and pull straight up with a twisting motion, or use a garden fork to loosen soil around larger roots. The entire plant typically lifts easily from loose, well-prepared soil. If you encounter resistance, loosen the soil around the root rather than pulling harder, which can break the root and leave portions in the ground.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Tokyo Cross turnips store best when you remove the greens immediately after harvest, leaving about ½ inch of stem. Store unwashed roots in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-35°F with high humidity. They'll maintain peak quality for 3-4 weeks, though flavor is best within the first two weeks.
For longer preservation, turnips freeze well when blanched first. Cut into ½-inch cubes, blanch for 2 minutes in boiling water, then ice bath and freeze in portions. They're also excellent for quick pickling – slice thin and pack in vinegar brine for a crisp, tangy condiment that keeps 2-3 months refrigerated. The tender greens can be sautéed immediately or blanched and frozen like spinach. Unlike storage turnips, Tokyo Cross is bred for immediate use rather than long-term storage, so prioritize fresh consumption or quick preservation methods.
History & Origin
Tokyo Cross was developed in Japan through careful hybridization aimed at creating the perfect home garden turnip. This variety earned All-America Selections recognition, a prestigious award given to outstanding new varieties that show superior performance across diverse North American growing conditions.
The breeding program focused on eliminating common turnip problems: slow growth, bitter flavor, woody texture, and poor disease resistance. Japanese plant breeders selected parent lines that combined rapid maturity with exceptional sweetness, creating a hybrid that could produce tender, mild roots in just over a month. This was revolutionary for home gardeners who previously had to wait 60+ days for quality turnips.
The variety gained popularity in North America during the 1980s and 1990s as gardeners discovered its reliability and superior eating quality. Tokyo Cross represents the successful marriage of traditional Japanese vegetable breeding expertise with modern hybrid techniques, resulting in a turnip that converts even turnip skeptics with its sweet, crisp texture and complete lack of the strong, sometimes bitter flavor associated with older turnip varieties.
Advantages
- +Exceptional speed with harvest-ready roots in just 35-40 days
- +Never develops woody or pithy texture even when slightly oversized
- +Sweet, mild flavor with zero bitter aftertaste appeals to all palates
- +Compact size perfect for succession planting and container growing
- +Strong resistance to clubroot and turnip mosaic virus
- +Tender, edible greens provide bonus harvest opportunity
- +Reliable germination and consistent performance across different climates
Considerations
- -Short storage life compared to traditional storage turnip varieties
- -Hybrid seeds cannot be saved for replanting next season
- -Susceptible to flea beetle damage on young leaves
- -Premium seed price compared to open-pollinated turnip varieties
- -May bolt quickly in unexpected warm spells during spring growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Radishes
Break up soil for turnip root development and deter flea beetles
Carrots
Different root depths prevent competition and improve soil structure
Onions
Repel root maggots and aphids that commonly attack turnips
Garlic
Natural fungicide properties protect against soil-borne diseases
Lettuce
Shallow roots don't compete and provide living mulch
Spinach
Cool-season companion with similar growing requirements
Peas
Fix nitrogen in soil and turnips benefit from increased nitrogen availability
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and other soil pests that damage turnip roots
Keep Apart
Mustard
Same family (Brassicaceae) attracts similar pests like flea beetles and clubroot
Broccoli
Fellow brassica competes for nutrients and attracts cabbage worms
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of most vegetables including turnips
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to clubroot and turnip mosaic virus
Common Pests
Flea beetles, aphids, cabbage root maggots
Diseases
Clubroot, black rot, white rust