Leafy Forage Brassica
Seven Top Turnip
A leafy turnip selected primarily for top growth and forage production
Seven Top Turnip is a fast-growing annual brassica valued primarily for its abundant leafy top growth rather than bulb production. Unlike conventional bulb-forming turnips, Seven Top directs much of its growth into foliage, making it particularly useful for forage, grazing and diversified brassica mixtures.
Agronomic Characteristics
Why Plant Seven Top Turnip?
Seven Top is distinguished from many other turnips by its emphasis on leafy forage production rather than development of a large storage root. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Heavy Leaf Production
Seven Top directs its growth primarily toward foliage, providing substantial leafy top growth for forage-oriented applications. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Forage Potential
The leafy growth can provide highly usable cool-season forage and makes Seven Top particularly well suited to grazing-oriented brassica plantings. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Fast Growth
Seven Top is a relatively quick-maturing brassica, commonly reaching usable leafy growth within roughly 45–65 days under favorable conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Mixture Friendly
Its leafy growth habit allows Seven Top to fit well as a brassica component in multi-species forage and grazing mixtures. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Where It Fits
Best Uses for Seven Top Turnip
Seven Top is best suited to systems where leafy forage production is more important than developing a large turnip bulb. That distinction makes it especially useful for grazing and multi-species forage programs.
Establishment & Management
Managing Seven Top Turnip
Like other forage brassicas, Seven Top benefits from good establishment, adequate moisture and planned grazing management.
Planting
Turnip seed is small and should be established with relatively shallow seed placement and good seed-to-soil contact. Adequate moisture during germination supports rapid, uniform emergence.
Growth Period
Seven Top is comparatively fast developing. Commercial descriptions commonly place maturity around 45–65 days, although actual development will vary with planting date, temperature, fertility and moisture. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Grazing
Allow adequate stand development before grazing and use controlled grazing management to improve utilization. General forage-turnip guidance commonly places grazing readiness around 70–90 days, depending on variety and growing conditions. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Mixture Balance
Because brassicas can establish rapidly, their seeding proportion should be balanced with companion grasses, cereals and legumes to prevent the brassica component from overwhelming slower-establishing species.
Variety Distinction
Seven Top Is Not a Typical Bulb Turnip
Seven Top is primarily selected for its leafy top growth. Unlike turnip varieties grown for substantial root or bulb production, Seven Top produces little to no useful bulb and directs more of its growth toward above-ground foliage. That makes it particularly suited to leafy forage and greens production. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Looking for Seven Top Turnip Seed?
Contact Weaver Seed for current availability, quantities, packaging or help incorporating Seven Top Turnip into a forage, grazing or custom seed mixture.
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