When to Plant Rutabaga for Fall and Winter Harvests

ByStephen Albert

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Rutabaga is one of my favorite cool-season root crops because it rewards good timing with rich, sweet, dense roots that taste best after the weather turns cold. In my Sonoma Valley garden, I’ve learned that rutabaga isn’t difficult—but planting at the right moment is everything.

Visit the Winter Garden and Season Extension Learning Hub

Below is what’s worked for me after many seasons of growing fall and winter crops in raised beds.

Why Timing Matters for Rutabaga

Rutabaga needs 90 to 100 days from planting to harvest, and the roots develop best in cool weather, not heat. If the plants grow too much during hot weather, they become pithy, woody, and overly strong in flavor. If you plant too late, the roots stay small through winter.

The sweet spot is getting most of the root development to occur as days shorten and temperatures cool.

Best Planting Window for Sonoma Valley (and Similar Climates)

In my garden (zone 9b, Mediterranean climate), the ideal time to sow rutabaga for fall-to-winter harvest is:

• Direct sow from July 15 to September 1

This gives seedlings time to grow through late summer warmth and size up as fall arrives.

My personal favorite sowing window is early to mid-August—it hits the balance between reliable germination and cool fall weather.

Cooler Climate Guidelines

If you garden in a cooler climate than Sonoma:

• Zones 6–7: Sow July 1–August 15

• Zones 4–5: Sow June 20–July 25

In shorter-season regions, rutabaga must go in earlier because frost arrives sooner and temperatures fall faster.

Warmer Climate Guidelines

If your summers stay hot well into September:

• Zones 9–10: Sow August 1–September 15

• Zones 10–11: Sow September 1–October 1

In very warm areas, rutabaga behaves like a true winter crop that matures in late winter or early spring.

Direct Sowing Tips From My Garden

After years of growing rutabaga in raised beds and mounded rows, this is the system that consistently gives me uniform roots:

1. Pre-moisten the soil

A lightly damp seedbed helps rutabaga germinate quickly in late-summer heat.

2. Sow seeds ½ inch deep

Any deeper and germination slows; any shallower and they dry out.

3. Keep soil evenly moist for the first 7–10 days

Heat + dryness = failed germination.

4. Thin early

I thin ruthlessly to 6 inches apart, which leads to properly sized winter roots.

5. Mulch after thinning

Mulch stabilizes soil moisture and keeps the roots mild and tender.

When to Expect Your Harvest

Based on sowing date:

• July sowing: Harvest October–December

• August sowing: Harvest November–January

• September sowing: Harvest December–February

Rutabaga improves dramatically after a few light frosts. In my experience, the roots hit peak sweetness after three to five cold nights.

Final Advice

If you want rutabaga for winter soups, stews, mashes, and roasting, plant enough to harvest through the cold months. In my garden, I sow two beds: one in late July and one in mid-August. This gives me a steady supply through December, January, and into February.

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 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.

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