{"product_id":"shogoin-turnip-heirloom-seeds","title":"Shogoin Turnip Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShogoin\u003c\/strong\u003e is a classic Japanese heirloom turnip grown for both its smooth white roots and abundant, tender greens. The roots are crisp, mild, and quick to mature, while the leafy tops bring a fresh mustardy flavor to the kitchen. Open-pollinated and non-GMO, Shogoin is a productive cool-season crop for spring and fall gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHistory\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShogoin comes from Japan, where turnips have long been valued as both a root vegetable and a leafy green. This traditional variety became a favorite beyond its homeland because it matures quickly, produces generous greens, and develops clean white roots with a delicate flavor. It is the kind of practical garden crop that earns its space by giving you more than one harvest from every planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 35–50 days for roots, with baby greens ready earlier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–5 inches across, with smooth white skin and crisp white flesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12–18 inches tall and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool-season root vegetable grown as an annual, with edible greens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShogoin turnips have a mild, lightly sweet flavor with a clean peppery finish and crisp, juicy texture. The white roots are excellent raw when young and become tender with roasting or braising. The greens are softer and more mustard-like, adding a fresh savory note to soups, stir-fries, and quick sautés.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Plant\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow Shogoin turnips in early spring 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost, or sow in late summer 8–10 weeks before your first expected fall frost. Cool soil and steady moisture produce the most tender roots and leaves. Aim for soil temperatures around 50–70°F, and thin seedlings early so the roots have room to develop. Check your \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\"\u003eUSDA Hardiness Zone\u003c\/a\u003e to fine-tune your planting schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tips \u0026amp; Planting Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thin to 4–6 inches apart, with 12–18 inches between rows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cover seeds about 1\/4 inch deep in fine, loose soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Usually 5–10 days at 60–70°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for the best roots and strongest greens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loose, fertile, well-drained soil free of stones and hard clods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep soil evenly moist for crisp roots and tender leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSuccession sowing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sow a short row every 2–3 weeks during cool weather for a continuous supply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHealthy plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water at soil level, rotate brassica crops, and thin promptly for good airflow and root development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003e🌱 Gentle Cover Germination 🌱\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInto the surface — thin cover only, no light needed.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart with the right foundation.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a fine seed-starting mix — not garden soil or coarse potting mix. Sift it if needed. Small seeds need a smooth, even surface to make good contact and germinate reliably.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCover lightly — just barely.\u003c\/strong\u003e Press seeds onto the moist surface and cover with no more than 1\/8 inch of finely sifted mix. These seeds don’t need light to germinate but they don’t want to be buried either.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMist, don’t drench.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use a spray bottle to keep the surface evenly moist. Watering from above can wash small seeds away before they ever get started.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWarmth is your friend.\u003c\/strong\u003e These seeds germinate best at 65–70°F — basically normal room temperature. A heat mat can help if your space runs cool.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrap the humidity.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cover your tray with a humidity dome or a loose piece of plastic wrap. This keeps moisture and warmth stable while you wait.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGive them time.\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep conditions consistent, resist the urge to overwater, and trust the process — they will sprout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThin with scissors, not fingers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once seedlings appear, snip extras at the soil line rather than pulling. These roots are close together and pulling one can disturb its neighbors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eShogoin turnips do not need cold stratification. For direct sowing, keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings emerge.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowth Type \u0026amp; Harvest Yields\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eShogoin produces one smooth root beneath each plant along with a generous crown of edible greens. Harvest baby roots early for a delicate crunch, or leave them to mature into full turnips while picking a few outer leaves along the way. Because the crop matures quickly, succession sowing can provide several harvests from spring or fall plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKnowing When to Harvest\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHarvest baby roots when they are small, smooth, and tender, or wait until the white shoulders fill out to about 3–5 inches across. Pull roots before they become oversized and woody, and pick greens while they are young, flexible, and richly colored. Cool weather keeps the flavor mild and crisp. Store roots without their tops in the refrigerator for 2–3 weeks, and use the greens within a few days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCompanion Plants \u0026amp; Mutual Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeas:\u003c\/strong\u003e A useful cool-season pairing that makes different use of vertical and underground space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Upright neighbors that fit neatly beside low turnip foliage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeets:\u003c\/strong\u003e Compatible root crops with similar moisture needs and planting seasons.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDill:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attracts beneficial insects that support a balanced garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLettuce:\u003c\/strong\u003e A quick, low-growing companion that makes efficient use of bed edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Enjoy\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlice young roots raw into salads, slaws, and sandwiches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoast or braise mature turnips with sesame, ginger, or fresh herbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSauté the greens with garlic, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd chopped roots and leaves to ramen, soups, and vegetable broths.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePickle thinly sliced turnips for a crisp, bright condiment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOrder Today\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrow a quick, generous Japanese heirloom that gives you crisp white roots and tender greens from the same planting. Order Shogoin Turnip Heirloom Seeds today and make the most of your cool-season garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","offers":[{"title":"Starter Pack of 10 seeds","offer_id":54051392618810,"sku":null,"price":0.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Garden Pack of 25 seeds 🌱 Best Value","offer_id":54051392651578,"sku":null,"price":2.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1003\/7850\/9626\/files\/image_96e1bff4-4bdd-45ba-8482-e2921032cf54.png?v=1789332711","url":"https:\/\/gardenheirloomseeds.com\/products\/shogoin-turnip-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Garden Heirloom Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}