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When to Plant Rutabaga in Texas

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.

Texas spans USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Rutabaga planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Rutabaga Planting Calendar for Texas

Zone 6b ~205 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 3 · First frost: October 25 · 205 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 10
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 – Jul 17
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30
Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 – Apr 1
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 – Jul 8
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 6
Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Jul 1
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 – Sep 13
Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 15
Harvest May 17 May 17 – Jun 21
Fall Sowing September 9 Sep 9 – Sep 23
Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 – Mar 4
Harvest May 6 May 6 – Jun 10
Fall Sowing September 19 Sep 19 – Oct 3
Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 20 Jan 20 – Feb 10
Harvest April 14 Apr 14 – May 19
Fall Sowing October 15 Oct 15 – Oct 29
Zone 9b ~329 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: January 25 · First frost: December 20 · 329 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow January 4 Jan 4 – Jan 25
Harvest March 29 Mar 29 – May 3
Fall Sowing October 25 Oct 25 – Nov 8

Growing Tips for Texas

Direct sow in early summer for fall harvest. Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart. Flavor improves significantly after a few light frosts.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rutabaga in Texas?

Planting dates for Rutabaga in Texas depend on your USDA zone. Texas spans zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Texas for planting?

Texas contains USDA hardiness zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.