When to Plant Rutabaga in Virginia
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.
Virginia spans USDA hardiness zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
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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 Virginia
▸ 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 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 |
Growing Tips for Virginia
Direct sow in early summer for fall harvest. Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart. Flavor improves significantly after a few light frosts.
Rutabaga in Other States
- 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
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Rutabaga in Virginia?
Planting dates for Rutabaga in Virginia depend on your USDA zone. Virginia spans zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Virginia for planting?
Virginia contains USDA hardiness zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 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.