Turnip seeds are a popular choice for food plots and wildlife forage, offering quick growth, high energy, and dual-purpose roots and greens. This guide reviews five top options that perform well in American outdoor environments, from cool-season plots to fall hunting-season crops. Each product is evaluated for germination, growth rate, and suitability for diverse soils, ensuring you can select seeds that maximize deer and wildlife attraction while improving soil health.
The following summary highlights five recommended turnip seeds for food plots. The table provides quick-reference details to compare key attributes like seed type, growth timeline, and primary uses.
| Product | Brand | Use | Approximate Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Top Turnip Seeds, 5 Lb | Outsidepride | Food plot, forage | ~55 days | High-protein forage; dual-purpose root and greens |
| Purple Top Turnip Seeds, 10 Lb | Outsidepride | Food plot, cover crop | ~55 days | High-yield; robust for larger plots |
| Purple Top Turnips (1/2 lb) | CZ Grain | Food plot | ~55 days | Fresh seeds; easy setup for small plots |
| Purple Top Turnip Seeds (1 lb) | Generic | Wildlife food plot | Fall forage | Broad coverage; convenient sizing |
| Hale Habitat Purple Top Turnip Seed, 5 Lb | Hale Habitat & Seed | Food plot | ~1 acre coverage per bag | Certified seed; attractant focus |
Outsidepride Purple Top Turnip Seeds – 5 Lbs
These high-protein forage turnips are designed to supplement deer diets with a dual-purpose root and leafy greens. The seeds perform well under full sun to partial shade and tolerate USDA zones 2-9, making them versatile for most American plots. They produce large purple top roots, typically 2-5 inches in diameter, offering a quick, energy-dense food source for deer and wildlife. With an estimated 55-day maturity, growers can plant in late summer for fall forage that extends into winter in milder climates. Recommended sowing rate is 10-15 lbs per acre for best results.
Outsidepride Purple Top Turnip Seeds – 10 Lbs
This larger 10-pound bag is ideal for extensive food plots, offering the same high-protein forage and dual-use root and greens. The seeds thrive in similar conditions and zones, with rapid growth enabling fall hunting-season plots. Sowing at 10-15 pounds per acre results in dense stands that keep deer in the plot throughout the season. The quick 55-day maturity makes it suitable for mid- to late-summer planting for autumn forage.
Bulk Purple Top Turnips Seeds – 1/2 Pound
Designed for smaller plot operations or incremental additions to cover crops, this 1/2-pound bag provides fresh seeds suitable for deer-focused plots. The selection emphasizes easy growth with a weed-free seed bed, shallow planting depth, and soil-to-seed contact. Turnips serve as a preferred snack for whitetail deer, and the greens plus roots help sustain deer throughout the season, especially in cooler months when forage can be scarce.
1 Lb Purple Top Turnip Seeds for Wildlife
This 1-pound pack covers roughly 1/4 acre when broadcast seeded, making it suitable for establishing productive wildlife food plots. The purple top foliage and robust root development attract deer, turkey, and other game animals. Planting is best in late summer to early fall for sustained forage through fall and winter months, aligning with hunting-season feeding needs.
Hale Habitat & Seed Purple Top Turnip Seed – 5 Lb
Hale Habitat & Seed offers certified seed intended to maximize germination and growth in food plots. A single 5-pound bag covers approximately one acre, delivering a dependable yield with attractant value. The seeds are positioned for wildlife plots that require reliable performance and consistent seeding rates, helping ensure a steady food source across multiple months.
Burpee Purple Top White Globe Turnip Seeds – 5,000 Seeds
Burpee’s heirloom variety features sweet, tender white roots and a classic purple-top appearance. The packet contains 5,000 seeds, making it a cost-effective option for large plots or multiple seasons. Sow outdoors in early spring after the last frost and harvest about 55 days later, enabling harvest windows for cool-season forage and successive plantings for extended plot availability.
Bulk Purple Top Turnips Seeds – 1 Pound
This 1-pound bulk option mirrors CZ Grain’s other turnip offerings with emphasis on fresh seeds for deer-focused plots. The seedbed should be weed-free, with seed depth around 1/4 inch for optimal germination. Turnips are well-regarded as a preferred deer snack due to their strong forage potential and high palatability, making them suitable for varied plot sizes and strategies.
Buying Guide: Turnip Seeds For Food Plots
- Plot size and sowing rate: Larger plots generally benefit from higher seed weights per acre (typical ranges are 10-15 lbs per acre for purple top turnips). Smaller plots can use bulk or single-pound bags for incremental plantings.
- Germination and maturity: Most purple top turnips reach readiness in about 55 days under favorable conditions. Cooler temperatures can improve taste and texture, making them particularly valuable for autumn and winter forage.
- Dual-purpose versatility: Turnips produce nutrient-dense greens and a root crop. This dual-use aspect supports sustained forage for deer, turkey, and other wildlife across multiple months.
- Soil and environment: Turnips tolerate a range of soils and sunlight conditions, but best results occur in well-prepared seed beds with good soil contact. They function well as cover crops and soil improvers in addition to forage.
- Season planning: Plant in late summer to early fall where temperatures begin to cool, ensuring robust forage through hunting season and into winter in milder regions.
- Seed quality: Certified or fresh seeds are more likely to germinate uniformly. Check seed bag labels for germination rates and bag contents to ensure you have enough seeds for your plot.
- Pest and weed management: Maintain weed-free trenches during establishment and monitor for pests that can affect early growth. Mulching can help moisture retention and root development in drier areas.
- Plot succession: Consider rotating with other forage species to sustain soil health and wildlife interest over multiple seasons, avoiding overreliance on a single crop.