Rutabaga
Brassica napus
Rutabaga is a hardy root crop, a cross between cabbage and turnip, grown for its large, dense, yellow-fleshed root. It is very cold-tolerant and stores well.
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Even, consistent moisture
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Rutabaga (Brassica napus, Napobrassica group) is a root crop thought to have arisen as a hybrid of turnip and cabbage. Known as "swede" in Britain, it produces a large, dense root with golden-yellow flesh.
It is a classic cold-climate storage crop: slow to mature but extremely hardy. It is a traditional plant of cool, northern gardens.
How to identify it
- A large, round-to-oval swollen root, often purple-topped above the soil and buff-yellow below
- Smooth, yellow-orange flesh inside (vs. the white flesh of true turnips)
- A distinct ridged "neck" with leaf scars at the crown
- Smooth, waxy, blue-green lobed leaves (less hairy than turnip foliage)
- Larger and denser than a turnip
Care & growing
Light: Full sun.
Water: Consistent moisture for smooth, crack-free roots.
Soil: Deep, loose, fertile, well-drained soil; pH 6.0-7.0.
Temperature: Cool-season crop; very frost-hardy. Needs a long season (~90-110 days).
Feeding: Moderate; avoid excess nitrogen, which favors leafy tops over root development.
Propagation: Direct-sow in mid to late summer for a fall/winter crop; thin seedlings to give roots room to swell.
Habitat & origin
Rutabaga likely originated in Northern or Central Europe and became a traditional crop in Scandinavia, Scotland, and northern climates.
It is grown today across cool-temperate regions and remains a popular cold-season root crop in northern Europe and North America.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a rutabaga and a turnip?
Rutabagas are larger and denser with yellow flesh, while turnips are smaller with white flesh.
How long do rutabagas take to grow?
They need a long cool season, about 90-110 days, so sow in mid to late summer for a fall crop.
How do I store rutabagas?
The roots keep for months in a cool, humid place like a root cellar or refrigerator crisper; waxed ones store especially well.
Rutabaga guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Rutabaga.
