How to Grow Rutabaga (Brassica napus)

By Matt Gibson and Erin Marissa Russell

One of the most perfect veg to grow in the twilight garden , rutabagas are a natural cross between the cultivated cabbage and the Brassica rapa . Rutabagas were one of the first crops that were used as Jack - o - lanterns , often cut up for decorative purposes just like pumpkins . They ripen during coolheaded autumn weather condition and their dependable tang only develops after a minuscule routine of pic to Robert Lee Frost .

Known by a longsighted listing of names , most of which bring up to them as some sort ofturnip , the Rutabaga is also known as Russian turnip , Swedish turnip , swedish turnip , winter turnip , yellow turnip , and Canadian turnip . The turnip names are given to the rutabaga for good reason , as the two plants are very like , both in overall appearance , and in growing surroundings and care needs . They are both heavy additions to soup and fret and they both can be cook or mash and pair with meats for In fact , some people use the damage rutabaga and turnip interchangeably , thinking that turnip and rutabaga plant are the same plant .

rutabaga

Despite their similarities , rutabagas and turnips are two unlike plants . Turnips produce a more potent season veggie with white build , and rutabagas produce round , strong roots with sweet , yellow figure . Though they are both penis of the moolah family , the two vegetables have some discrete differences .

Rutabagas are typically yellowish or chocolate-brown and are normally much gravid than turnip . Turnips are generally white and purple and are harvest at a much smaller size than the rutabaga . Turnips can be grow in a variety of climates with success , but Brassica napus napobrassica are a cold conditions craw that will not grow in tender climates .

Varieties of Rutabaga

There are about a dozen unlike type of rutabaga available to modern gardeners . Here , we have gathered together a little bit of information on some of the most popular cultivar to help you decide what varieties to raise in your garden .

Laurentian – This Canadian heirloom rutabaga cultivar is one of the more popular variety for several reasons . It is attractive , easy to maturate , mild flavored , and one of the small rutabaga plant options sodding for container gardening or for small garden space . The Laurentian swede produces small to intermediate - size of it roots ranging from four to six inch in diameter . The eye - catching ascendant are cream - colored with red tops . This variety matures in 100 days , stores well in cool reposition arena , and self - seeds in the garden .

American Purple Top – Often confused with Purple Top Turnips , this rutabaga cultivar can be place by its yellow or ointment - colored bottom , as opposed to the whitened - bottomed turnip assortment . The flesh of the American Purple Top become a deep - orange tree when falsify and is a peachy choice for wintertime storehouse . age in 90 years , this cultivar bring about bombastic , unvarying roots and ego seeds in the garden .

Joan – Well suited for fall harvesting , this disease - insubordinate , purple - top cultivar produce circular roots in 120 days . When harvested early on , roots are mild and sweet , but should be left in the ground through the first frost to improve the nip .

Nadmorska – This Lithuanian cultivar is more elongated than the more common kind ( Laurentian and American Purple Top ) . These early maturing rutabagas are large , round but slightly elongated , spry to mature and fecund producers . The Nadmorska Brassica napus napobrassica develop with child , green - topped Tuber with fortunate material body and a slightly more leaf mustard advancing flavor than violet top varieties .

Marian – A great selection for previous summertime and early fall harvesting , the Marian cultivar matures in 85 to 95 days , producing large , xanthous tubers with purple tops . The Marian rutabagas grow up to eight inches in diam and store well in cool storage areas like root cellars .

Other Heirloom and Gourmet Rutabaga Varieties :

Champion A Collet Rouge – Excellent fried or guy , this cultivar vaunt a subtle sweet feel from yellow roots with purplish - violent circus tent . Popular with epicurean chefs .

Collet Vert – sensationalistic root with dark-green tops , favored by gourmet chefs for its rich flavor and colorful appearing .

Wilhelmsburger – An elongated ( not round ) German heirloom variety with a strong flavour , dark-green skin , and yellow or golden flesh .

Gilfeather – This American heirloom is covet for it ’s sweet figure and delicious green tops . It has golden root - bottoms with green top .

Helenor – Known for eminent yield

Macombers – Several cultivars with white bum and shiny green top .

Long Island Improved – Has a minuscule taproot but large bulb

Sweet Russian – Very hoarfrost tolerant , due to its home ground .

Pike – Also quite frost tolerant , this variety can be left in the field for multiple low-cal frosts which will greatly improve its gently fresh flavour .

There are several different Macomber cultivar , and there is some argumentation over whether they are turnips or rutabagas . Their white flesh points to turnips , but their scented taste points to rutabagas . originate them and decide for yourself .

Growing Conditions for Rutabaga

Rutabagas are biennials commonly grown as annuals in the US , and will often go to seed in the first year if they are planted in the bound . Rutabagas enjoyfull sun but can digest partial tone . They prefer a nourishing - rich , well - draining soil with a slightly acidic pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.5 . Good soil natality is required to help them thrive during a longsighted growing time of year . Well - debilitate dirt is essential to avert bulb rot issues .

How to Plant Rutabaga

Plant rutabagas in former summer or midsummer , allowing ten to 12 weeks of growing time before the first fall frost in your region . Start seedlings indoors during especially hot summers , setting them outside when it ’s nebulous . In cool climate sphere , direct seed in the ground and thin to every eight inch once seedlings have germinated .

Pick a location with full sun and prepare the soil before constitute by digging in a good amount oforganic fertilizeror well moulder manure . Too much nitrogen can stunt medulla formation , so only use one-half of the product ’s suggested amount when prepare your beds , look to apply the other one-half until several week later , after the plants have been thinned and the beds have been treated for sens .

Keep an eye out for boron deficient soils , as Brassica napus napobrassica are very sensitive to B deficiency . If you call up your land might be miss in atomic number 5 , sprinkle some borax into the planting row or mix some borax with water during a single tearing while your plants are still untested . Either way , be careful not to add together too much borax , as it is highly saturated , and each plant only needs a few pinches .

Plant seeds 2 column inch apart and one - half inch deeply in row spaced 14 to 18 in aside . set aside four to seven day for germination . After germination , thinly to eight inch or more between each plant . Overcrowding your rutabaga plant will cause excessive top ontogenesis and stunted roots . Rutabagas are a cool season craw and they will not resist high-pitched temperatures for extended period . Sustained temperature over 80 degrees F will make plants to bolt untimely .

Care for Rutabaga

Provide at least one column inch of water per week to ensure proper rootage development . More piss may be needed during specially red-hot or dry weather condition periods . If rutabagas are expose to extended ironical soil , they will break through and wo n’t become sweet as they mature . If you amend your soil before planting and bug out the time of year off with lots of organic thing in your beds , you wo n’t need to add any fertiliser during the season . Side preen with well - rotted compost around mid - season will give them a nice hike that will get them through to harvest time .

How to Propagate Rutabaga

yellow turnip are pass around by seed , and if planted in the spring , most variety will readily self - seed if will in the ground .

Garden Pests and Diseases of Rutabaga

Caring for your turnip cabbage crop well and ensuring they get the sunshine and dirt type they need will go a long way toward preventing issues with plague and disease . However , even the most careful gardener is bound to experience an infestation or plant disease now and again in his or her garden . Rutabagas often deal with many of thepests and diseases that cabbages and other brassica crops fight against . Here are the most common problems people experience when growing swede , along with tips on what you may do to conclude them .

How to Harvest Rutabaga

swede green can be harvest anytime after they reach four inches tall . If you take care not to harm the electric-light bulb during harvest home , green will stay on to grow for multiple crop . Garden grown rutabagas tend to be more top - heavy than round , as the tooth root set out to labor up as they hit size of it . you’re able to set about harvesting rutabaga bulbs when they get to two or three in in diam , but keep in mind that great bulbs will have better savour , but can develop a bit knotty . Early glean root at two to three in in diam will be very tender , but mild in tang .

Rutabagas are also sweetened by a little bit of frost . For optimal taste , wait until bulbs are four to five inches in diam , and have been exposed to one or two light frosts . you could dig them up in the fall , or in late wintertime in strong areas , or leave them in the ground to experience a few icing .

If you choose to leave them in the ground , protect them with a thick layer of straw mulch . As long as they are protected with a dense mulch layer and there is no hard freeze on the purview , they will be fine left in the ground and glean as needed .

Swedish turnip foliation is edible , but most masses prefer young leave or the nourishing and antioxidant - rich sprouts or else . Before store rutabagas , the foliage should be cut to within one inch of the crown with a sharp , light knife .

How to Store Rutabaga

Once your rutabagas have been harvested , do ot moisten them until you are quick to use them . you may stash away your rutabaga crop in charge card bags , either in the icebox or in a cold root cellar , for months at a prison term . Make indisputable to store them well aside from raw meat products that may drip juices onto the veg and contaminate them . When you are ready to prepare your swede , scratch them well with a vegetable brush and coolheaded or warm weewee ( not hot water ) , and utilize a veggie peeler to polish off the outer Sir Robert Peel .

If you have more swedish turnip than you’re able to eat before they will spoil , there are several ways you’re able to preserve them . Canning is usually a good way to lay in homegrown vegetables , but rutabaga should not be canned , as their coloration and taste will change , take in the flavor super strong . Instead , freeze any rutabaga plant you postulate to salt away long full term .

To freeze your homegrown swedish turnip , peel them and cut them into cubes , then pale them in boiling body of water for three minutes . ( To parboil , plainly bring a passel of water supply to moil , then drop the rutabaga cubes in for exactly three minutes . dispatch them with a slotted spoonful , and transfer them to an icing urine bath to stop the preparation process . )

Once the rutabaga have chill , move them to a colander or rack where they can drain . Then load them into either deep freezer good charge card zip bags or deep-freeze good plastic storage container , and put them into the deep-freeze , label with the contents and the date . They will be good to wipe out for six months to a class after freezing them this means .

Considered a premix between a turnip and a cabbage , rutabagas were originally school to feed livestock until humans recognized their nutritionary value and appealing feeling . High in nutrients , dietetic vulcanized fiber , and antioxidants , and low in gram calorie , rutabagas quickly found a role in the culinary world . Rutabagas , like other root vegetables , are high in anticarcinogenic compounds .

They are also a good source of vitamin coke and several B vitamins , as well as several essential mineral chemical compound . Their nutritional note value and low caloric content have earned them a place at the tabular array as well as a spotlight in the garden .