Crops › Rutabaga
How to grow Rutabaga
in the US
Sow May to August, plant out September, harvest September to November. About 95 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Rutabaga is a good one, a proper workhorse in the kitchen. It's a root crop that's simple enough to grow, even if you're new to it, and gives you a cracking harvest that lasts through the colder months. On my plot, they sit there nice and sturdy, just waiting for me to dig 'em up.
Sowing
Rutabaga are a cool season crop, so you can sow 'em direct in the ground when the soil warms up a bit after the last frost, or even later for a fall harvest. To be honest, they're not usually sold as plug plants, so direct sowing is generally the way to go. Sow seeds about half an inch (1 cm) deep, leaving an inch or two (2-5 cm) between them in rows spaced about 18 inches (45 cm) apart. Once they're up, thin them out to stand about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) apart. You can sow from May right through to October in some warmer zones, just check your USDA zone for the best timings, ensuring they get about 95 days to mature before it gets too hot or too cold.
Growing on
Like I said, you mostly sow these direct, so there's not much faffing about with pricking out. If you do start them off indoors, get 'em hardened off proper, a week or so outside in a sheltered spot, before planting out after the last frost. They don't need any support, just room to grow their big roots. Give each plant about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) space in the row, and they'll be happy. They like a good open spot on the plot, where they can really spread out.
Looking after it
Keep the ground moist, especially when they're bulking up, but don't let it get waterlogged, you know what I mean. A good layer of mulch around them helps keep the moisture in and keeps those pesky weeds down. They're not too greedy, but a bit of balanced feed if your soil's a bit poor won't hurt. Just make sure they have a steady supply of water for consistent growth.
What goes wrong
The main bother you'll face is cabbage worms, they love munching on the leaves. Row covers are a cracking way to keep them off, just put them over your plants as soon as they're up. Slugs can be a problem too, especially when the plants are small, so keep an eye out and deal with them as you usually would. Aphids might show up now and then, but often a strong jet of water will shift them.
Harvest
You're looking at about 95 days from sowing until they're ready, usually September through November, depending on when you sowed and your zone. Dig 'em up when they're a good size, about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) across. They store really well in a cool, dry place, like a cellar or garage, and you can keep 'em for months. In the fridge, they'll last a while too, if you've only got a few.
I always plant a few marigolds or nasturtiums nearby, they seem to help keep some of the bugs away, and they look pretty too, which is a bonus on the plot.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Laurentian Laurentian is a proper old favorite, known for its consistent yields and good flavor. It's a cracking choice for growing direct on the plot, especially if you're looking for a dependable maincrop. | No club votes yet |
| American Purple Top This one's a classic, American Purple Top gives you those nice, traditional purple-topped roots. If you're starting seeds indoors to get a bit of a head start, this variety takes well to it. | No club votes yet |
| Joan Joan is a straightforward variety, very reliable for direct sowing and growing out on the plot. You'll get a good, solid crop with this one, perfect for your autumn and winter meals. | No club votes yet |
| Helenor Helenor produces good quality roots and is a strong contender if you prefer to start your seeds indoors. It's a sturdy variety that gives you a reliable harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Nadmorska Nadmorska is a robust variety that performs well when sown directly into your garden beds. It's known for its hardiness and will give you plenty of roots to enjoy. | No club votes yet |
| Wilhelmsburger If you're looking for a traditional rutabaga and prefer starting seeds in a cold frame or greenhouse, Wilhelmsburger is a solid choice. It's a dependable variety that produces well. | No club votes yet |
| Marian Marian is another cracking variety that's happy being sown direct in the soil. You'll get a good harvest of tasty roots, making it a reliable choice for the home gardener. | No club votes yet |
| Berkner Berkner is a good all-rounder, particularly if you're starting your seeds in a protected spot before planting out. It produces uniform roots that are excellent for storage. | No club votes yet |
| Swedish Golden This variety gives you lovely golden-fleshed roots with a sweet flavor. Swedish Golden does best when sown directly and is a good one if you're looking for something a bit different. | No club votes yet |
| Purple Top Monarch Purple Top Monarch is a reliable classic, giving you those distinctive purple-topped roots. It's a good choice for starting indoors if you want to get a jump on the season. | No club votes yet |
| Altasweet As the name suggests, Altasweet is known for its sweet flavor, making it a favorite for cooking. It's a robust variety that's well-suited for direct sowing on the plot. | No club votes yet |
| Odin Odin is a versatile rutabaga that performs well when started indoors or in a greenhouse. It's a dependable choice that yields good, solid roots for your kitchen. | No club votes yet |
| Grand Duke Grand Duke is a hardy variety, perfect for direct sowing and letting it get on with things. You can expect a good, steady crop of decent-sized rutabagas from this one. | No club votes yet |
| Brora Brora is a strong performer if you're looking to start your seeds in a more controlled environment. It's a cracking maincrop variety that gives good, uniform roots. | No club votes yet |
| Airlie Airlie is a reliable outdoor variety, excellent for direct sowing in your garden. It produces good quality roots and is a solid choice for a consistent harvest. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Rutabaga seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May to June | September to October |
| Zone 4 | May to July | September to October |
| Zone 5 | May to July | September to November |
| Zone 6 | May to August | September to November |
| Zone 7 | May to August | September to December |
| Zone 8 | May to August | September to December |
| Zone 9 | June to September | October to December |
| Zone 10 | July to October | November to December |
Cook the harvest
Rutabaga replaces the standard potato in this deeply savory beef stew, its slightly sweet, earthy flavor absorbing the rich braising liquid beautifully while holding its shape far better over long cooking times. Slow-cooked with beef chuck, carrots, onion, and a Worcestershire-spiked broth, this is the ultimate cold-weather one-pot dinner. The rutabaga is the element that makes this stew completely unforgettable.
140 min · mediumThinly sliced rutabaga layered with heavy cream, gruyère, and garlic and baked until bubbling and golden-crusted is a rich, warming gratin that transforms a humble winter root into a dish worthy of any holiday table. The rutabaga holds its shape better than potatoes and its slightly sweet, mustard-like flavor pairs beautifully with the nutty cheese. Serve alongside roasted lamb or beef for an elegant cold-weather dinner.
80 min · mediumTender chunks of lamb shoulder are braised low and slow with rutabaga, root vegetables, and a deeply savory broth flavored with fresh rosemary, thyme, and a splash of red wine in this hearty cold-weather stew. The rutabaga soaks up the lamb juices and becomes meltingly soft, adding an earthy, subtly sweet dimension that pairs brilliantly with the richness of the meat. This is a deeply satisfying one-pot dinner built for the coldest evenings of the year.
135 min · mediumRutabaga cubes are par-cooked and then glazed in a skillet with maple syrup, butter, and a touch of apple cider vinegar until they are caramelized all over and laquered in a rich, sticky glaze. The combination of rutabaga's natural earthy mustard notes with the deep sweetness of pure maple syrup is one of autumn's most comforting vegetable preparations. It makes a spectacular side for roast turkey, pork, or duck.
45 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: marigolds, nasturtium
Questions people ask
When do you sow Rutabaga in the US?
Sow Rutabaga from May to August in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out September, after the last frost.
How long does Rutabaga take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 95 days, with the harvest September to November.
Which Rutabaga varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Laurentian, American Purple Top, Joan, Helenor and more.
Track your Rutabaga from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.