Rutabaga vs Turnip: How to Tell the Difference and When to Grow Each

Rutabagas and turnips are often confused because both are cool-season root crops with similar growth habits. After more than 30 years of gardening in raised beds and mild-winter Sonoma Valley, I’ve learned to distinguish them by flavor, size, growth cycle, and best planting timing. Knowing these differences ensures you harvest tender, sweet roots every season.

Table of Contents

🌱 Key Differences

1. Flavor and Texture

Rutabaga: Sweet, mild, dense; ideal for mashing, roasting, or winter storage.
Turnip: Slightly peppery, lighter texture; best for fresh eating, quick roasting, or pickling.

My experience: Rutabagas store longer and develop sweetness after a few frosts, while turnips are best harvested young.

2. Size and Shape

Rutabaga: Larger, round to slightly flattened, often purple-topped with cream flesh.
Turnip: Smaller, white or white-purple, more uniform in shape.

My experience: If roots exceed 4–5 inches in diameter, they are usually rutabagas; smaller, tender roots are turnips.

3. Growing Season

Rutabaga: 90–100 days; grows best in cool fall/winter.
Turnip: 40–60 days; ideal for quick fall crops or early spring.

My experience: I plant turnips first for early fall harvest, then rutabagas for late fall and winter storage.

4. Soil and Care

Both prefer loose, well-drained soil with consistent moisture.
Rutabagas are more sensitive to uneven watering and nutrient stress, which can make roots woody.
Turnips tolerate faster cycles and lighter soils.

🌿 Planting Recommendations

Turnips

Sow seeds ½ inch deep, 1–2 inches apart.
Thin to 3–4 inches.
Harvest young for best flavor.

Rutabagas

Sow seeds ½ inch deep, 2–3 inches apart.
Thin to 6–8 inches.
Provide steady moisture and mulch for winter flavor.

My experience: Interplanting turnips as an early crop around rutabaga seedlings maximizes bed productivity.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Rutabaga	Turnip
Days to harvest	90–100	40–60
Flavor	Sweet, dense	Mild, peppery
Root size	Large	Small
Best use	Mashing, roasting, storage	Fresh, quick cooking, pickling

Rutabaga Learning Hub

Start here: How to Plant, Grow, and Harvest Rutabaga: A Complete Guide

Planting, Timing & Setup

Care, Water & Feeding

Companions & Intercropping

Pests, Diseases & Troubleshooting

Harvest, Storage & Kitchen

Varieties & Background

Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

Horseradish Care & Maintenance: Controlling Spread, Pruning & Troubleshooting
ByStephen Albert

Horseradish is famously tough, vigorous, and long-lived—qualities that make it both rewarding and challenging to manage. Once established, it can spread aggressively underground, send up surprise shoots in neighboring beds, and produce roots so dense they’re difficult to dig. After more than 30 years of growing horseradish in raised beds and sunny garden corners, I’ve…

Read More Horseradish Care & Maintenance: Controlling Spread, Pruning & Troubleshooting
Where to Plant Carrots for the Best Root Development
ByStephen Albert

Carrots are a cool-season crop that thrive when given the right location and soil conditions. For straight, sweet roots, location matters just as much as variety. If you’ve ever harvested stubby, twisted, or cracked carrots, poor site selection may be to blame. In this article, I’ll walk you through the best places to plant carrots…

Read More Where to Plant Carrots for the Best Root Development
Growing Beets in Hot Weather: Challenges and Solutions
ByStephen Albert

Beets are a cool-season crop that thrive when daytime temperatures hover between 60°F and 70°F. But what if your growing season includes hot spells—or if you garden in a warm climate? In my 30+ years of vegetable gardening in California’s Central Valley and Sonoma Valley, I’ve learned how to coax sweet, tender beets from the…

Read More Growing Beets in Hot Weather: Challenges and Solutions
Why Rutabaga Roots Turn Woody or Bitter—and How to Prevent It
ByStephen Albert

Rutabaga is naturally sweet and tender when grown under consistent cool-season conditions, but roots can become woody or bitter due to stress, poor soil, or inconsistent care. After more than 30 years growing rutabaga in Sonoma Valley, I’ve pinpointed the most common causes and preventative measures that consistently produce smooth, sweet roots. 🥕 Common Causes…

Read More Why Rutabaga Roots Turn Woody or Bitter—and How to Prevent It
Why Are My Turnips All Tops and No Roots? What Went Wrong
ByStephen Albert

If your turnips are producing lush leafy tops but tiny or no roots, several common issues may be to blame. Understanding these problems can help you grow healthy, full-sized roots next time. Common Causes My Experience After years growing turnips, I’ve learned that balancing fertilizer, proper thinning, and consistent watering are crucial to avoid “all…

Read More Why Are My Turnips All Tops and No Roots? What Went Wrong
How to Prepare Soil for Parsnips
ByStephen Albert

Healthy, straight, sweet parsnips begin with the soil. After growing root crops in Sonoma Valley for decades—mostly in raised beds and mounded rows—I’ve learned that soil prep is the single biggest factor that determines whether your parsnips grow long and smooth or short and forked. Here’s how to build the ideal parsnip bed before sowing….

Read More How to Prepare Soil for Parsnips