Rutabaga

Plant Overview

Rutabaga (Brassica napus var. napobrassica) is listed in the Brassicaceae family and categorized as a vegetable with a biennial commonly grown as an annual crop life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.

Plant ID

PLT-0033

Family

Brassicaceae

Plant type

Vegetable

Life cycle

Biennial commonly grown as an annual crop

Growth habit

Cool-season herbaceous biennial commonly grown as an annual for its enlarged edible root

Mature height

Commonly about 12-24 inches tall when grown for roots

Mature spread

Commonly about 8-12 inches wide

Difficulty

Moderate

Growing Conditions

Rutabaga is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep soil evenly moist to support steady root enlargement and prevent woody or cracked roots. The database soil reference is Loose, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter and few stones. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 2-11 as an annual crop.

Hardiness zones

2-11 as an annual crop

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Loose, fertile, well-drained loam or sandy loam with good organic matter and few stones

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Water needs

Moderate; keep soil evenly moist to support steady root enlargement and prevent woody or cracked roots

Plant spacing

Thin plants to roughly 6-8 inches apart, with rows about 18-24 inches apart

Seed & Germination

For seed starting, the listed germination time is Typically 5-14 days from seed when conditions are suitable and the seed depth is About 1/4-1 inch depending on seed size. The listed time to maturity is Typically 45-120 days depending on cultivar and growing conditions. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Typically 5-14 days from seed when conditions are suitable

Germination temperature

Rutabaga seed germinates well in cool soil, with strong germination commonly occurring around 50-75°F

Seed depth

About 1/4-1 inch depending on seed size

Sowing method

Direct sow rutabaga seed where plants will mature, then thin seedlings after emergence to the desired spacing; allow a long cool growing season for root development

Start indoors

Optional for crops that tolerate transplanting; otherwise direct sow

Transplanting

Transplant after hardening off when temperatures suit the crop

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Typically 45-120 days depending on cultivar and growing conditions

Harvest

Harvest roots when they reach usable size, commonly about 3-5 inches in diameter; flavor often improves after exposure to cool weather or light frost

Propagation

Primarily propagated by seed and usually direct sown where the crop will mature

Seed saving

Rutabagas are biennial and must overwinter or be replanted to flower in their second season; allow seed pods to mature and dry before collecting, and isolate from compatible Brassica napus crops to reduce cross-pollination

Pollination

Rutabagas are insect-pollinated and can cross with other compatible Brassica napus crops when allowed to flower

Garden Information

Common pests

Flea beetles, aphids, cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, root maggots, cutworms, slugs, and other brassica-feeding insects

Common diseases

Clubroot, downy mildew, black rot, damping-off, leaf spots, and root rots

Uses

Edible roots for roasting, boiling, mashing, soups, stews, casseroles, and other cool-season vegetable dishes