The Pink Turnip

[GoDawgs]

One of my garden toys this year is Asuka Akane turnip, one from Japan that looks like a pink carrot, has a really mild flavor and a pretty interior when sliced.

24.04.17 1st Asuka Akane so far, sown 2.28.34.JPG

24.04.17 1st Asuka Akane turnip, 4.5 long.JPG

24.04.25 Cross section of Asuka Akane turnip.JPG

It grows quickly (about 45 days) and is a lot more vertical growing than regular turnips so you can plant them a lot closer. I think that this fall and next spring I'll also plant them here and there in the garden wherever there's a small space to fill. And I think I'll leave some to bolt from this batch for seed collection.

24.04.17 Asuka Akane turnips 6 weeks old.JPG

[AKgardener]

I have n ver tried a turnip what does it taste like??

[PlainJane]

Nice! Might have to give it a try next cool season.

[Tormato]

For the roots, greens, or both?

[GoDawgs]

Both, I would think. The leaves were so pretty and I was going to cut some but in three days time the flea beetles shot-holed them all up. GRRRR....

@AKgardener, I can't think of how to describe the taste of a turnip. It tastes like a kohlrabi but you probably haven't tried one of those either. Maybe like a slightly stronger cabbage but a bit different. I like to munch on raw turnip pieces sprinkled with a little salt.

[AKgardener]

Sounds good I’ll just grow some give em a try thank you

[Tormato]

Thanks, GoDawgs. Now I've got Asuka Akane ads popping up all over my screen.

[GoDawgs]

Thanks, GoDawgs. Now I've got Asuka Akane ads popping up all over my screen.

Baker Creek's got your number!

[GoDawgs]

Sounds good I’ll just grow some give em a try thank you

They grow so fast they'd be perfect for your short growing season.

[AKgardener]

Ok thank u gonna try it

[GoDawgs]

I sliced some into rounds yesterday and steamed them to go with lunch. Unlike purple beans that turn green when cooked, the red streaks in these turnips stays red! The red also may be a little darker, perhaps bleeding into the surrounding white flesh a little bit.
I had some purple top slices in there with the Asukas for taste comparison. The PTs aren't real turnipy by themselves but the Asukas are even milder.

I could see maybe slicing thin rounds of these, slightly blanching until tender crisp and then adding them to salads. What a great burst of color that would be!

[GoDawgs]

Yesterday afternoon I got the sweet potato bed forked and then got the poles set up to hang the trellis on. Since all the long trellises are currently being used I was going to have to cut 18' more off the fencing roll for this one. But then I thought about it. The sweets will be planted tomorrow. Those vines won't be ready to thread onto the trellis for at least 3-4 weeks. By then the peas will all have been picked and those trellises taken down. I don't need to cut a new one after all!

Most all of the bush and pole beans have popped up as has the Incredible corn. Still waiting on that 4' stretch of Nano Marconi beans.

This morning I need to go into town and get a new oscillating sprinkler so I can get that ground softened enough to prep the last two corn rows. The okra bed is ready. Later today I will work on prepping the watermelon planting area. The end of putting in the garden is in sight!