Rutabaga Planting Guide
Rutabagas are a cross between turnips and cabbage, producing large yellow-fleshed roots with a sweet, mild flavor. They are excellent mashed, roasted, or in stews.
Brassica napus var. napobrassica · Vegetable · Brassicaceae family · 80–100 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Rutabaga Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Rutabaga?
Rutabaga Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Rutabaga planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | — | May 23 | — | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Zone 2b | — | May 15 | — | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 3a | — | May 8 | — | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Zone 3b | — | May 3 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Zone 4a | — | Apr 29 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Zone 4b | — | Apr 24 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 5a | — | Apr 11 | — | Jul 4 – Aug 8 |
| Zone 5b | — | Apr 4 | — | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
| Zone 6a | — | Mar 27 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 24 |
| Zone 6b | — | Mar 20 | — | Jun 12 – Jul 17 |
| Zone 7a | — | Mar 11 | — | Jun 3 – Jul 8 |
| Zone 7b | — | Mar 4 | — | May 27 – Jul 1 |
| Zone 8a | — | Feb 22 | — | May 17 – Jun 21 |
| Zone 8b | — | Feb 11 | — | May 6 – Jun 10 |
| Zone 9a | — | Jan 20 | — | Apr 14 – May 19 |
| Zone 9b | — | Jan 4 | — | Mar 29 – May 3 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Rutabaga is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Transplant shows "—" because Rutabaga is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Rutabaga
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
80–100 days
Medium-season crop. Start early for best results in shorter seasons.
👪 Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Brassicaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Rutabaga
Rutabaga matures in just 80–100 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 2 successive plantings by sowing every 9.1 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Rutabaga
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Rutabaga
Direct sow in early summer for fall harvest. Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart. Flavor improves significantly after a few light frosts.
Saving Rutabaga Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Rutabaga by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Rutabaga?
Rutabaga (Brassica napus var. napobrassica) takes 80 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Rutabaga grow in?
Rutabaga can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Rutabaga need?
Growing Rutabaga requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.