How to Grow Rutabagas
Instruction & Advice for Growing Rutabaga Plants
in Your Vegetable Garden
| Nutrition | Watering Instructions | Harvesting |
| Climate | Fertilizing Instructions | Storage |
| Soil | Challenges | Tips |
| Planting |
A rutabaga is a root vegetable that is similar to a turnip. The easiest way to differentiate between the two, is to look for the multiple leaf scars at the top of the rutabaga root. In addition to the root, select the leafy tops (when young and tender) for use in salads or as a nutritious cooked “green.”
Nutrition Information: (back to top)
Under optimal growing conditions, rutabaga offers: dietary fiber, Vitamin A, B6, C, Potassium, Thiamin, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus.
Climate & Growing Conditions: (back to top)
Most rutabaga varieties grow best in cool gardening climates or seasons, but there are varieties that are tolerant of other climates.
How to Prepare the Garden Soil: (back to top)
Place your rutabaga garden in either partial shade or full sunshine.
Rutabaga plants grow best in well-drained garden soil, rich with organic matter (compost/well-rotted manure). The more friable (loose and crumbly) the soil, the better groot growth you'll have for this vegetable.
Gardening Advice Tip: If possible, plant in an area of your garden that was well fertilized last season and used by another vegetable type (EXCEPT: avoid the area where you planted members of the cabbage family last season. ie. cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts).
How to Plant Rutabaga: (back to top)
Plant rutabaga seed shallowly in the garden soil at only ¼” deep in rows that are spaced 10” apart. Cover seeds with garden soil or compost, and water well. You should see the seedlings appear within in two weeks. Once the seedlings show a second set of leaves, thin them to 5” apart, to allow them room to grow without having to fight each other for nourishment.
For a more managable (and longer) season, plant small crops every 3 weeks. This extends your harvest period, allowing your garden to offer a steady supply of this fresh tasty vegetable!
Note: Unlike some other root crops, do not hill soil around the exposed rutabaga root.
How to Water: (back to top)
Rutabaga needs to be kept moist (especially during hot weather). This crop does not grow well if the soil dries out (the root will become woody, tough and the flavor unpalatable).
How to Fertilize: (back to top)
A few weeks before planting, prepare the rutabaga garden bed by mixing in a light dressing of fertilizer (Many have good success with poultry manure).
For a growing boost 1 month after planting, apply another dose of fertilizer to the soil and water it in.
Gardening Challenges: (back to top)
Rutabagas are not prone to serious plant diseases. However, many insects find them tasty (including: aphids, caterpillars and grubs).
How to Harvest Rutabagas: (back to top)
In most areas, it takes from 3 to 4 months for your rutabaga crop to reach harvestable size. In warmer areas, the growing season will be shorter though.
Harvest by pulling the entire plant from the ground.
Gardening Advice Tip: If you wait too long into the crop’s cycle to harvest, the root will be rough and woody.
Storage: (back to top)
How to freeze Rutabaga
Best results if rutabaga vegetable is tender and young. Dice rutabaga and blanch for 3 minutes, then chill in iced water for 3 minutes. Drain rutabaga, place on tray in single layer and freeze for 30 minutes. Pack in freezer bags, remove air, seal and label. Freeze rutabaga for up to 6 months.
Cold Storage
Roots to be stored for winter should be harvested after frost, but before the ground starts to freeze. Store in your cellar, in layers of sand.
Canning Rutabaga
Rutabagas can be canned using the same method as canning parsnips or turnips. However, rutabagas tend to discolor and develop an excessively strong in flavor when canned. You might want to consider other storage methods for this vegetable.
Gardening Advice Tips (back to top)
Have a helpful gardening tip (or even a fun story) to share about your rutabaga growing experience? Share it with us at: gardeningtips@howtogardenadvice.com
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