Garden Vegetable - Rutabaga

Estimated Planting Time for
Last Frost of Apr 1
First Frost of Nov 1

Botanical Information

Family: Cruciferae
Height: 18-30"
Type: Biennial
Spacing: 4 Plants per 1x1 block
Growing Season: Spring, Fall
Approx Days to Harvest: 90

Starting

Earliest start outside: Apr 29
Soil: Ph 4.8-7.8
Opt Germ (soil) Temp: 55-80° F.
How Deep?: 1/2"
Time to Emergence: 15-20 days

Notes:

Succeeds in full sun in a well-drained fertile preferably alkaline soil. Prefers a stiff moist soil and a fairly high rainfall. Another report says that it prefers a light but rich soil and an open sunny location. Succeeds in any reasonable soil. Tolerates a pH in the range 4.8 to 7.8.
The rutabaga is often cultivated for its edible root and there are several named varieties. The plant is somewhat hardier than turnips and in many northern climates it can usually be left outdoors all winter and harvested as required. Plants take 4 - 6 weeks longer to mature than turnips. A good companion plant for peas.

Propagation: Seed - sow April to June in situ.

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