Heirloom Turnip ‘Petrowski’ – Yellow Turnip (Brassica rapa) | Seeds

🥕 Heirloom Turnip ‘Petrowski’ – Yellow Turnip (Brassica rapa) | Seeds
The ‘Petrowski’ turnip is an old heirloom variety with a mild, sweet and lightly aromatic flesh. It is one of the most popular yellow turnips in Northern Europe because this variety is hardy, fast-growing and suitable both for garden beds and for growing in pots on balconies or terraces.
A turnip is a unique vegetable that fits into every home.

🌱 Variety Characteristics
• Latin name: Brassica rapa subsp. rapa
• Type: heirloom (historical heritage variety)
• Root: round, smooth, yellow
• Flavour: sweeter than many other turnip varieties – mild and creamy
• Vegetation (growth) period: 60–80 days
• Hardiness: this turnip grows well in cool weather, is not afraid of cold summers or autumn frosts. Weather conditions that usually cause gardeners trouble are exactly what this turnip likes.

📜 History of the Variety
‘Petrowski’ turnips originated in Eastern Europe at the turn of the 19th–20th century as a result of folk selection. The variety quickly became one of the main yellow turnip types, especially in regions with short, cool summers.
Today, ‘Petrowski’ is considered one of the hardiest and most flavourful heirloom turnips, experiencing a revival in organic gardens, small plots and urban gardening.

🥗 Nutritional Value (per 100 g)
• Energy: about 30 kcal
• Vitamin C: 18–25 mg
• Fibre: 1.6–2.0 g
• Potassium: 190–210 mg
• Carotenoids: higher than in white turnips
• Glucosinolates: natural antimicrobial compounds
• Water content: about 90%
The yellow turnip is a valuable winter vegetable, retaining nutrients all the way until spring.

🍽️ Culinary Use
The ‘Petrowski’ turnip is one of the sweetest and mildest yellow turnips, making it extremely versatile in the kitchen.

● Traditional uses:
• Soups: turnip soup, vegetable soup, warm autumn and winter soups that support immunity.
• Stews: together with carrots, potatoes, beef or lamb.
• Purées: smooth, creamy turnip purée (pairs perfectly with carrot or parsnip).
• Oven-roasted: diced together with other root vegetables.

● Modern cooking methods:
• Pan-fried with butter – a gentle alternative to pumpkin.
• Fermented – in kimchi or mixed fermented vegetable blends.
• Pickled – a quick and healthy tangy vegetable garnish.
• Fresh salads – thinly sliced; this turnip is milder than many white varieties.

● As a substitute for other vegetables:
• Potato substitute for low-carb diets.
• Pumpkin substitute in soups and purées.
• Carrot substitute in mildly sweet savoury dishes, adding a unique flavour to any recipe.

🌿 Traditional Folk Medicine
‘Petrowski’ turnip has traditionally been regarded as a health- and immunity-supporting winter vegetable that stores easily until spring and is always available.

• For respiratory issues and cough – warm turnip juice or steamed turnip with honey was used as both prevention and remedy.
• For immunity – rich in vitamin C and carotenoids, helping the body fight colds throughout the season.
• For digestive balance – fibre supports regular bowel movement and the vegetable is low in calories.
• For liver and gallbladder support – turnip has traditionally been used to gently support digestive organ function.

🌱 Growing – How to Grow the ‘Petrowski’ Turnip

● Sowing ‘Petrowski’ from seed:
• Best sowing time – late August to early September, as turnips prefer cool weather.
• For spring sowing, ensure that root development does not coincide with high midsummer heat.
• Suitable for growing in pots, boxes, raised beds, balconies and terraces.
• Sow seeds 1–1.5 cm deep directly in their permanent location – turnips dislike transplanting and develop deformed roots if moved.
• Row spacing: 25–30 cm.
• Final spacing after thinning: 8–12 cm.
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.2.

● Care
• Water regularly if needed – fluctuations between dry soil and heavy watering cause root cracking.
• To prevent flea beetles, plant onions or garlic nearby.

● Harvest
• Ready 60–80 days after sowing; young turnips for salads or grilling can be harvested earlier.
• Light frosts improve flavour.
• Stores well until spring without losing quality.

🤝 Good Companions:
• Onions, garlic
• Beans, peas
• Phacelia, marigold, chamomile
• Mint (nearby, not directly in the bed)

🚫 Poor Companions:
• All brassicas (cabbage, radish, arugula)
• Potatoes
• Cucumbers, zucchini

✔️ Why Choose ‘Petrowski’?
The ‘Petrowski’ turnip has a mild and sweet flavour, more pronounced than in many other varieties. It is fast-growing and hardy even in cold, wet summers. Stores excellently until spring. Ideal for small gardens, pots and balconies. This heirloom variety was shaped by generations through folk selection, preserving only the tastiest and most resilient plants.

Seeds per packet: 10 pcs
Author: Heart Garden Studio
Shipping: across Europe and worldwide