What hardiness zones is Brassica rapa 'Seven Top' suitable for?

Brassica rapa 'Seven Top' is an annual leafy green reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall with a spread of 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) and an upright, vigorous, open rosette habit. A Southern US heirloom turnip grown exclusively for greens—it produces only a small, inedible, woody root. Large, dark green, slightly lobed leaves 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) long on thick petioles grow rapidly from a central crown. Mild turnip-greens flavor, less bitter than mustard greens. Days to maturity 40-55 from direct sow (baby greens at 25 days). Growth rate is fast. Cold-tolerant—withstands temperatures to 20°F (-7°C). Flavor sweetens markedly after frost. Cut-and-come-again harvest over multiple cuttings. Also used as a fall/winter cover crop.

Native Range

Brassica rapa originated in Central Asia and the Mediterranean. 'Seven Top' is a traditional Southern US heirloom turnip-greens cultivar.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens for culinary use—braising, Southern-style cooking, sautéing, soups. Greens-only turnip—no edible root. Southern US heirloom. Fast 40-55 days (baby 25 days). Cold-tolerant 20°F. Frost sweetens flavor. Cut-and-come-again. Cover crop. Not suitable for root harvest or raw salad at full size.

How to Identify

Distinguished from root turnips like 'Scarlet Queen' and 'Tokyo Cross' by the absence of an edible root—grown exclusively for greens. Distinguished from collards by the lobed (versus smooth paddle) leaf shape and the faster growth. Seven Top—greens-only turnip (no edible root), Southern US heirloom, fast, cold-tolerant 20°F, frost sweetens.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Yellow four-petaled flowers on stalks in spring or when heat-stressed. Harvest greens before bolting. The small root is woody and inedible.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellow; four-petaled; bolting only

Foliage Description

Dark green; slightly lobed 8-12 inches; thick petioles; vigorous

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

40-55 days (baby greens 25 days)

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow in early spring or late summer for fall/winter harvest. Broadcast or drill seed. Moist, fertile soil (pH 6.0-7.0). Fast growing—first harvest in 25 days for baby greens. Days to maturity 40-55 from direct sow for full-size leaves. Cold-tolerant to 20°F (-7°C). Cut-and-come-again—cut to 2 inches, regrows 2-3 times. Also functions as a cover crop.

Pruning

Cut leaves 2 inches (5 cm) above ground for cut-and-come-again harvest. Regrows 2-3 times before quality declines.

Maintenance Level

very low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Direct Sow Timing

Early spring or late summer for fall/winter

Days to Maturity

40–55 days

Plant Spacing

6 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

peas

onions

Avoid Planting With

other brassicas nearby