Wilhemsburger Rapeseed (with green neck) - Vilmorin seeds - Brassica napus

Brassica napus Wilhemsburger is a variety that forms large swedes with a green collar and white flesh. This variety is hardy and particularly productive. It is a forgotten autumn and winter vegetable that is easily grown and worth rediscovering! Sow from June to August for a harvest from October to December.

Brassica napus Wilhemsburger, also known as Swedish turnip,  is a root vegetable native to Northern Europe that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is the result of cross-breeding between cabbage and turnip and has the Latin name Brassica napus. It is grown as a vegetable or fodder plant, for the white or yellow root it forms, similar to turnips.

Kept away from our plates for decades because it reminded too much of war and its restrictions, this vegetable is easy to grow and thrives in cold and humid climates.

It has high nutritional value and a flavour similar to that of potatoes and radishes. It is usually consumed cooked, in soups, mashed, gratins and even caramelised fries. Raw and grated, it can be used in salads with carrots. From a dietary point of view, Brassica napus is very interesting: it is quite calorie-dense and contains a lot of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. It is known to be digestive, even slightly laxative. It is an excellent autumn and winter vegetable.

In the vegetable garden, Brassica napus Wilhemsburger has similar requirements to other cabbages, but to a lesser extent: it needs sun, deep and well-drained soil, good organic matter, and regular moisture. It should be noted that this variety can also tolerate ordinary soil.

Harvest: It can be harvested by simply pulling out the root when it has reached ripeness.

Storage: It stores very well in the ground (provided it is well-drained) or in a cellar. You can keep it in the refrigerator for several days or even weeks, and several months in the freezer after blanching it for a few minutes in salted boiling water.

Gardener's tip: To limit watering, we recommend mulching the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, preferably mixed with dead leaves, once the plants are well developed. This protective layer helps retain moisture in the soil, reduces weed growth, and acts as thermal insulation against the coldest temperatures.