Rutabaga Planting Guide

May

rutabaga this month

Some notes on rutabaga care that hold up no matter where you garden — then check your zone for specifics.

Sun full sun

Water moderate

Days to harvest 80–100

Plant depth 1″

Spacing 15″

How to water rutabaga
About an inch of water a week keeps rutabaga happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
Where to put rutabaga
rutabaga wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant rutabaga. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Your rutabaga planting calendar by county →

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?

Zone Compatibility for Rutabaga Zones 2a – 9b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

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

Planting Depth

15"

Between Plants

24"

Between Rows

🍂 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

Peas Onion Carrots

❌ Keep Away From

Potatoes

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

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

🏷️

Garden Plant Markers $6-12

Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant

Save a lifetime of seed money →

Rutabaga by State

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.