For hunters and land managers seeking reliable, high-protein forage to attract and sustain whitetail deer, turnip seeds can be a standout option. This guide reviews five strong choices, focusing on yield, growth speed, and dual-use roots and greens. Each product section includes a direct Amazon link, a visual, and key features to help you compare at a glance. The buying guide at the end highlights considerations like climate, soil, and planting timing to optimize deer attraction through the seasons.
| Product | Key Benefit | Approx. Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Outsidepride Purple Top Turnip Seeds – 5 Lbs | High-protein forage; dual-use root and greens | ~55 days |
| Outsidepride Purple Top Turnip Seeds – 1 Lb | Compact option with same dual-use benefits | ~55 days |
| Whitetail Institute Tall Tine Tubers | New turnip variety; two forage sources | Seasonal adjustability |
| Outsidepride Purple Top Turnip Seeds – 10 Lbs | Large-scale seed option; fast growing | ~55 days |
| Domain Outdoor Bombshell Food Plot Seed for Deer | Mixed forage for year-round attraction | Seasonal variety |
Outsidepride Purple Top Turnip Seeds – 5 Lbs
These purple-top turnips provide high-protein forage ideal for deer food plots. They grow well under full sun to partial shade and tolerate USDA Zones 2-9, making them versatile across many regions. The plant produces a large purple-top root with leafy greens that deer and other wildlife readily graze. Typical root sizes range from 2 to 5 inches in diameter, delivering quick, high-energy nutrition. A sow rate of 10-15 pounds per acre supports rapid establishment, with maturity around 55 days. Cool weather can enhance flavor, supporting late-summer to winter forage and hunting-season plots.
Outsidepride Purple Top Turnip Seeds – 1 Lb
This compact, high-protein option mirrors the larger 5 Lb seed but in a smaller package, suitable for smaller plots or phased planting. It maintains dual-use value: a sizable purple-top root and edible greens, both of which can support deer nutrition through the season. Maturity remains approximately 55 days under favorable conditions. Sowing at 10-15 pounds per acre helps ensure quick emergence and root development, with similar soil tolerance and climate range as the larger bag.
Outsidepride Purple Top Turnip Seeds – 10 Lbs
This large-volume option is designed for bigger plots or multiple planting cycles. It preserves the same high-protein, dual-use turnip benefits—root and greens—that deer readily consume. The same 10-15 pounds per acre sowing rate supports rapid stand establishment, with an estimated 55-day maturity. The seeds tolerate varied soil types and sun exposure, making them suitable for diverse hunting plots that require robust, recurring forage through cool seasons.
Domain Outdoor Bombshell Food Plot Seed for Deer
The Bombshell mix is designed for extreme seasonal attraction, combining Ethiopian cabbage, forage collards, hybrid brassica, and forage turnip for year-round forage. It provides a broad spectrum of nutrients and a longer grazing window, helping to stabilize deer visits across summer, fall, and winter. The seed jug is sized for half-acre applications, offering convenient handling and coverage. This blend supports multi-species grazing and can complement turnip-heavy plots with additional brassicas and leafy greens.
Whitetail Institute Tall Tine Tubers
Whitetail Institute’s Tall Tine Tubers introduce a new turnip variety built for deer-focused forage. The program emphasizes two food sources: foliage above ground and tubers below ground, enhancing attractiveness across different grazing patterns. This approach aims to maintain deer on the plot longer into cold seasons. The product is positioned as a premium option backed by years of field testing, with a focus on reliable supply and growth consistency in diverse climates.
Domain Outdoor Show Stopper Food Plot Seeds for Deer
Show Stopper is a curated mix featuring turnips among other brassicas designed for multi-season attraction. The blend emphasizes staggered maturity and robust regrowth potential, enabling repeated grazing within a growing season. It’s suitable for plots that require a dependable, varied forage program to maximize deer presence across hunting seasons and ensure sustained energy stores in winter months.
Buying Guide
Key considerations when selecting turnip seeds for deer plots:
- Climate and season: Turnips tolerate cool weather and can provide late-season forage; select varieties with rapid maturity (about 55 days) for fall plots and consider mixes that extend grazing into winter.
- Seed quantity and plot size: Larger plots may benefit from high-yield bags (10 Lbs) to ensure even coverage, while smaller plots can start with 1 Lb or 5 Lbs options.
- Dual-use value: Look for turnips that offer both tubers and leafy greens to maximize forage and grazing opportunities.
- Soil and sun tolerance: Most turnip seeds perform well in full sun to partial shade across a range of soils; ensure soil pH and fertility plans support root development.
- Blends and cover: Mixing turnips with other brassicas or cover crops can broaden the forage window and attract a wider range of wildlife.
- Establishment timing: For best flavor and palatability, plant in midsummer to late summer for fall harvests, with continued grazing into winter where climates permit.
- Maintenance: After germination, monitor weed competition and provide adequate moisture during establishment to ensure uniform stands.
For landowners seeking a dedicated deer-forage strategy, combining a high-protein turnip base with year-round brassica blends can create a robust, flexible food plot system. Consider starting with a 5 Lb or 1 Lb turnip seed option to test germination rates in your soil, then scale up with larger bags or mixed seed blends as plot success becomes evident. Always align seed choice with local deer behavior patterns, crop rotation plans, and hunting-season goals to optimize results.