How to Plant and Grow Rutabaga

Rutabaga is a hardy, cool-weather biennial vegetable grown as an annual. Rutabaga is grown for its large swollen root which has a purple or creamy brown or combination of both skin and yellow or white flesh. It is larger, denser, and sweeter than a turnip. Rutabaga has a rosette of smooth, deeply lobed, deep green leaves that grow from the swollen root. The rutabaga can be distinguished from the turnip by the leaf scars on its top.

Related articles:

Rutabaga grow in garden — Rutabaga near harvest

Here is your complete guide to growing rutabaga.

Table of Contents

Rutabaga growing quick tips

Sow rutabaga seed in the garden 4 to 6 before the average date of the last frost in spring.
Sow rutabaga also in late summer for autumn or winter harvest.
In mild winter regions sow rutabaga in autumn for winter harvest.
Grow rutabaga so that it comes to harvest before temperatures average above 75°F (24°C); rutabaga requires 60 to 90 days to reach harvest.
Yield. Plant 5 to 10 rutabagas per household member.

Tools for Vegetable Gardeners at Amazon:

Where to plant rutabaga

Rutabagas grow best in well-worked, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Add aged compost to planting beds in advance of sowing.
Remove soil lumps and rocks which could cause roots to split or become malformed.
Rutabagas prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

Rutabaga planting time

Rutabagas grow best in cool weather.
Sow rutabaga seed in the garden 4 to 6 weeks before the average date of the last frost in spring.
Sow rutabaga also in late summer for autumn or winter harvest.
In mild winter regions sow rutabaga in autumn for winter harvest.
Grow rutabaga so that it comes to harvest before temperatures average above 75°F (24°C); rutabaga requires 60 to 90 days to reach harvest. Rutabaga roots will become grow small and stringy in hot weather.

Rutabaga in garden — Rutabaga nearing maturity

Planting and spacing rutabaga

Sow rutabaga seed ½ inch (12mm) deep and 1 inch (2.5cm) apart.
Thin successful seedlings to 4 to 6 inches (10-15cm) apart.
Space rows 18 to 24 inches (45-61cm) apart.
Thinning is important so that roots have room to develop.

Good Products at Amazon for Raised Bed Growing:

Rutabaga companion plants

Grow rutabaga with beets, carrots, and turnips.

Container growing rutabaga

Rutabagas can become quite large–often reaching 3 to 5 pounds–and are not a good crop for container growing.

Watering and feeding rutabaga

Give rutabagas regular, even water so that roots grow steadily. Do not let the soil dry out.
Roots that grow too slowly will be tough.
Sporadic watering can cause developing roots to crack.
Feed rutabaga with compost tea or side-dress plants with aged compost.

Rutabaga care

Grow rutabagas in cool temperatures or they will be small and bitter.
When roots start to swell, trim the outer foliage to enhance root growth.

Good Products at Amazon For Growing Rutabagas and Cabbage Family Crops:

Rutabaga pests and diseases

Aphids and flea beetles can attack rutabagas. Pinch out foliage infested with aphids or spray them away with a stream of water.
Rutabagas commonly have no serious disease problems. White rust, a fungal disease, can cause small cottony blotches on the upper surfaces of the leaves.

Harvesting rutabaga

Rutabagas are ready for harvest 60 to 90 days after sowing.
Lift rutabagas when they are 3 to 5 inches (7-12cm) in diameter and tops are about 12 inches (30cm) tall.
Rutabagas can remain in the ground as long as the soil temperature does not dip below 24°F (-4.4°C). Mulch roots that remain in the ground.