FORT UMPQUA
Best heirloom choice for gardeners seeking historical flavor and winter harvests.
Cultivate a piece of history with the Fort Umpqua Turnip Seed, a remarkable heirloom variety ready in 55–60 days. This unique turnip boasts vibrant purple tops and firm, white roots measuring 3–4 inches. Its flavor is a delightful blend of sweetness with a warm spice finish, ideal for various culinary uses. Potentially over 170 years old, this variety was rediscovered and is now available for a limited time, offering a truly special addition to your garden. It's a nutritious choice, with both roots and greens offering health benefits.
$4.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
3136
/ 5867
#3136 in Seeds & Seed Tape
Price vs Category Average
-53%
Below average
Maturity Time
5560
/ – days
Who it's for
- Home cooks seeking rich flavor and dense texture for recipes
- Gardeners wanting a reliable winter food supply
- Cool-climate growers needing productive and adaptable squash varieties
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in regions with short growing seasons or early frosts
- Urban gardeners with limited space for sprawling vines
- Cooks preferring easy-to-prep ingredients without tough rinds
Performance breakdown
Heirloom Authenticity
A rare, 170-year-old variety offering genuine historical significance for your garden.
Harvest Versatility
Edible roots and nutritious greens provide dual-purpose value in the kitchen.
Seasonal Adaptability
Winter-hardy nature allows for an extended harvest window across multiple seasons.
Growth Speed
Rapid 55-day maturity ensures a quick turnaround for impatient home gardeners.
Germination Reliability
High-quality TS Select standards ensure consistent sprout rates for successful planting.
Culinary Profile
Unique sweet-and-spicy flavor profile elevates standard turnip dishes significantly.
Key Specs
Maturity Time
55–60 days
Root Size
3–4 inches
Soil pH Requirement
6.0-7.0
Seed Depth
¼–½"
Thin Plants to
6–8"
Seed Life
3 years
Minimum Germination
80%
Storage Temp
36°F and 95% relative humidity
Features
- Over 170-year-old heirloom variety
- Striking purple tops and white roots
- Sweet flavor with a warm spice
- Winter hardy for extended harvest
- Nutritious leafy greens
- Organic and TS Select seed
- Ready in 55-60 days
What customers say
Gardeners highly value the 'Fort Umpqua' tomato for its exceptional reliability, especially in cooler, shorter growing seasons. Customers consistently report outstanding germination rates, leading to vigorous plants. The main appeal is its impressive productivity, delivering heavy yields of uniform, medium slicing tomatoes that ripen much earlier than comparable types. Flavor is frequently praised as excellent for an early variety—balanced and satisfying for fresh eating. Its adaptability to temperature changes further solidifies its reputation. Minor issues like slight size variability are overshadowed by the dependable, high-volume harvest, making this a superb choice for maximizing the season.
Know before you buy
This is a rare, heirloom variety estimated to be over 170 years old. It is prized for its unique flavor profile, which balances natural sweetness with a distinct, warm spice finish.
Yes, both the roots and the leafy greens are edible and highly nutritious. You can harvest the greens throughout the growing season or wait until the roots reach their full size.
The Fort Umpqua turnip is relatively fast-growing, typically reaching maturity in 55 to 60 days. This makes it a great candidate for successive plantings throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Yes, this variety is winter hardy, which allows for an extended harvest period. They perform best in full sun and can tolerate cooler temperatures as the season progresses.
For best results, plant in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. The soil temperature should be between 55°F and 75°F for optimal germination, with seeds planted at a depth of ¼ to ½ inch.
Sow seeds 1 to 2 inches apart, then thin the seedlings to 6 to 8 inches apart once they are established. Rows should be spaced 12 to 16 inches apart to ensure adequate airflow and root development.
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