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When to Plant Rutabaga in Windham County, VT

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.

Windham County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.

At an elevation of 1,164 feet, Windham County receives approximately 49.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Rutabaga during the growing season.

Windham County, VT (Zone 5b) Short season
148 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
148 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Windham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Rutabaga Planting Timeline — Windham County, VT

Rutabaga Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 – May 19
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Aug 25
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 – Aug 12

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

80–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

148 days in Windham County

Growing Tips for Windham County

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

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rutabaga in Windham County, VT?

Windham County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Rutabaga planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Windham County, VT?

Windham County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Windham County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Windham County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Windham County, VT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.