Rutabaga
8
2
3Will it grow where I live?
Rutabaga is hardy to zone 7: lowlands, river valleys and cities across Central Europe are fine, harsher continental or upland sites need winter protection or a container.
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Profile
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Habit
- biennial
- Height
- 0.8 m
- Spread
- 0.3 m
- Growth
- slow
- Lifespan
- 2 years
- First yield
- after 1 year
- Yield per plant
- up to 1 kg
- Hardiness
- zone 7–9
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Soil
- Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay
- Soil moisture
- semi-dry – moist
- pH
- 5.3 – 8.6
Flowering & harvest
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowering | ||||||||||||
| Fruit harvest | ||||||||||||
| Leaf harvest |
Uses
Growing
Rutabaga grows best in well-drained, nutrient-rich loam soils with a pH between 6 and 7.5. It prefers sunny sites and needs regular watering, especially during the growth phase. Sow 4-6 weeks before the last frost in spring, or in summer for the autumn harvest. Thin the plants to about 15 cm apart. Frost improves the root's flavor. Harvest in autumn when the roots reach 7-12 cm in diameter.
Frequently asked questions
Rutabaga: how big does it get?
Rutabaga (Brassica napus napobrassica) grows as a biennial and reaches roughly 0.8 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 0.3 m. Growth is slow.
Rutabaga: what site does it need?
Rutabaga tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – moist. The pH may lie between 5.3 and 8.6.
Rutabaga: is it hardy?
Rutabaga is listed as hardy in zone 7–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Rutabaga: will it grow in Central Europe?
Rutabaga is hardy to zone 7: lowlands, river valleys and cities across Central Europe are fine, harsher continental or upland sites need winter protection or a container.
Rutabaga: when does it flower?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers from June to August.
Rutabaga: when is it harvested?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate the fruit ripens from October to November.
Rutabaga: when does it start cropping, and how much?
Rutabaga crops in its first year. Expect up to 1 kg per plant. Figures assume a good site; variety, soil and climate shift them considerably.
Rutabaga: is it poisonous?
No toxicity is recorded for Rutabaga. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.
Rutabaga: what is it used for?
Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 8/10, Medicinal 2/10, Other uses 3/10.
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