When to Plant Rutabaga in Washington
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.
Washington spans USDA hardiness zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b (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 Washington
▸ 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 |
| Fall Sowing | August 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Harvest | June 27 | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
▸ 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 |
| Fall Sowing | August 11 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Harvest | June 19 | Jun 19 – Jul 24 |
▸ 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 |
| Fall Sowing | August 16 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Harvest | June 12 | Jun 12 – Jul 17 |
▸ 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 |
| Fall Sowing | August 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Harvest | June 3 | Jun 3 – Jul 8 |
▸ 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 |
| Fall Sowing | August 30 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Harvest | May 27 | May 27 – Jul 1 |
▸ 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 |
| Fall Sowing | September 9 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Harvest | May 17 | May 17 – Jun 21 |
▸ 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 |
| Fall Sowing | September 19 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Harvest | May 6 | May 6 – Jun 10 |
Growing Tips for Washington
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
- Alberta
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- British Columbia
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Manitoba
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Brunswick
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Ontario
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Rhode Island
- Saskatchewan
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Yukon
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Rutabaga in Washington?
Planting dates for Rutabaga in Washington depend on your USDA zone. Washington spans zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Washington for planting?
Washington contains USDA hardiness zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. 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.