Crop type: Turnips
Brassica rapa (Rapifera Group) ‘Atlantic’ AGM
Common name: Turnip ‘Atlantic’
Crop slug: turnips
This Allotment Pro editorial draft summarises the cited RHS cultivar profile.RHS cultivar profile
1 - Overview
‘Atlantic’ is an early-maturing turnip producing round roots with a slight purple crown above a white base. The compact roots are particularly suitable for harvesting as baby turnips and for growing in containers. The cultivar holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
2 - Size
- Ultimate height
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Ultimate spread
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- Time to ultimate size
- 1 year
Its tufted leafy crown sits above a compact edible root.
3 - Growing conditions
- Suitable soils
- Fertile soil that is not too acidic
- Moisture
- Well drained, with reliable summer watering
- Soil pH
- Neutral or alkaline
Firm soil and continuous moisture help baby roots remain tender.
4 - Position and hardiness
- Light
- Full sun
- Aspect
- Any aspect
- Exposure
- Exposed or sheltered
- Hardiness
- H6 — hardy throughout the UK and northern Europe, approximately −20 to −15°C
Its hardiness supports February sowing under cloches and early module raising.
5 - Colour and seasonal interest
| Season | Foliage | Roots |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Green tuft | White with a slight purple crown |
| Summer | Green | Rounded baby turnips |
The purple crown above a white base is the key identifier.
6 - Botanical details
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Native to Great Britain and Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen on the profile
- Habit
- Tufted
- Name status
- Accepted
- Award
- RHS Award of Garden Merit
Genus
Brassicas may be annual, biennial or perennial, usually with upright stems, alternate often glaucous leaves, taproots and cross-shaped yellow or white flowers.
7 - How to grow
Cultivation
Sow under cloches in February or start modules indoors, transplanting in spring or early summer. Grow in fertile moist but well-drained soil in full sun and water well through summer.
Propagation
Propagate by seed.
Suggested locations
- Patios and containers
Pruning
No pruning is required.
Pests
Flea beetles, caterpillars, pigeons, snails, cabbage root fly and mealy cabbage aphid may attack.
Diseases
The profile lists club root, powdery mildew, black rot, grey mould and leaf spot.