Description
Rutabagas, sometimes called “swedes” or “Swedish turnips,” are a great standby survival root crop that grows in hot climates from fall to spring.
They’re perfect to plant in the South Zones 8-10 when it’s too early to plant potatoes and too late for sweet potatoes.
They’re delicious (honest) and make a great substitute for white potatoes in recipes. They make great mash and home fries. They’re sweeter than white potatoes but lower in starchy carbohydrates.
If you’re a gardener on a keto or low-carb diet, rutabagas may be a better choice for your side dishes.
Rutabagas Details
Growth Habit: leafy, upright
Height: 16-20 inches
Spacing: 6-8 inches
Days to Germination: 7-10 days
Days to Maturity: 80-120 days
Rutabagas Growing Instructions
Starting indoors:
You can multi-sow rutabagas ala Charles Dowding, to get them started early before planting out. This is a great way to succession plant and make the most of your gardening space.
Use large cell trays or soil blocks and sow 3-4 seeds per block
Use a light, moist seed starting mix
Plant 1/4 inch deep
Mist well and keep moist until germinated
Keep at 50-75°F; germinates in 7-10 days
Once plants have developed several sets of true leaves, plant out into a garden bed prepared with compost and/or balanced organic fertilizer
Space approximately 8-10″ apart in rows or a grid
Mulching will help conserve and retain moisture
Water and keep moist until the plants establish, then provide a minimum of 1 inch of water per week or as demanded by your climate and weather conditions.
As roots mature, harvest individually by pulling the largest specimen away gently and allowing the others to continue growing
Sowing directly:
Prepare the garden bed with compost or other organic amendments and loosen soil
Prepare rows 12-18″ apart
Sow seeds 3-4 inches apart
Cover with 1/2 inch of soil and mist well
Keep moist until seeds germinate
Thin seeds at 6-8″ apart
Harvest at 4-6 inches diameter for best results
Terms of Sale
You will receive a minimum of 1 gram of seed, approximately 315-325 seeds, shipped free from Florida via USPS First Class Mail, with no tracking
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