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When to Plant Rutabaga in Utah

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.

Utah spans USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 8a (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.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Rutabaga Planting Calendar for Utah

Zone 4b ~155 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: May 1 · First frost: October 3 · 155 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 – May 15
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 – Aug 21
Fall Sowing July 11 Jul 11 – Jul 25
Zone 5a ~166 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 25 · First frost: October 8 · 166 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 – May 2
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Aug 8
Fall Sowing July 30 Jul 30 – Aug 13
Zone 5b ~178 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 18 · First frost: October 13 · 178 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 – Aug 1
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18
Zone 6a ~193 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: April 10 · First frost: October 20 · 193 day season

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 – Jul 24
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 – Aug 25
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 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

Growing Tips for Utah

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 Utah?

Planting dates for Rutabaga in Utah depend on your USDA zone. Utah spans zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 8a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Utah for planting?

Utah contains USDA hardiness zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 8a. 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.