🥦 Rutabaga (Swede)

Brassica napus var. napobrassica

vegetables root vegetable (brassicaceae)

☀️ Sun

Full sun (6, 8 hours); tolerates light partial shade , beneficial in Zones 7+

💧 Water

Medium; 1 inch per week consistently; even moisture critical for tender, non-woody roots and sweet flavor; drought stress causes woody/pithy roots

🗺️ Zones

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

🧪 Soil pH

6.0, 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

🪴 Soil Type

Deep, loose, well-drained loam with moderate organic matter; rutabagas need deep, uncompacted soil for proper root development; avoid fresh manure (causes forking); boron supplementation often needed (boron deficiency causes brown heart/hollow heart)

🚿 Drainage

Well-drained essential; raised beds recommended for heavy soils

📏 Spacing

6, 8 inches apart; rows 18, 24 inches; thin to final spacing when seedlings are 2, 3 inches tall , rutabagas need room for large roots (4, 6 inches diameter)

⏱️ Maturity

90-110 days (from seed); harvest after light frost for sweeter flavor

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ Root (swollen stem base , actually a stem tuber, not a true root; roasted, mashed, boiled, soups/stews) 🍽️ Leaves/greens (edible cooked , similar to kale or collards; harvest sparingly so root development isn't compromised) 🍽️ Young leaves (tender enough for salad when very young)

Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone

🤝 Companions (6)

🤝 Dill

Attracts predatory wasps and hoverflies that parasitize cabbage pests; improves brassica growth

🤝 Nasturtium

Trap crop for aphids; cabbage worms prefer nasturtiums; ground cover suppresses weeds IMPORTANT management caveat: without active management, nasturtiums can become a SOURCE of aphids that migrate to nearby crops. Either remove aphid-infested nasturtium plants promptly, or treat the trap crop itself to eliminate the aphid colony before it spreads. Strategic placement within 4-5 feet of protected crops is key.

🤝 Onion/Garlic/Allium

Repels aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage worms from rutabagas; complementary root depths , alliums are shallow, rutabagas have deep roots

🤝 Pea

Peas fix nitrogen to support rutabaga's long-season growth (90, 120 days); peas are harvested mid-season before rutabagas mature

🤝 Radish

Quick crop marking rows; radishes harvested before rutabagas mature; early pest monitoring

🤝 Rosemary/Sage/Thyme

Aromatic herbs repel flea beetles and cabbage moths; strong scent masks brassica host-finding cues

⚠️ Keep Apart (5)

⚠️ Fennel

Allelopathic , inhibits rutabaga root development

⚠️ Pole Bean

Beans may be stunted by brassica allelopathy; conflicting nitrogen demands

⚠️ Potato

Both root crops competing for potassium; potato harvest disturbs long-season rutabaga roots

⚠️ Strawberry

Mutual growth inhibition between brassicas and strawberries

⚠️ Tomato

Brassica root exudates may stunt tomato growth; separate by at least 3 feet

💊 Medicinal Uses

Medicinal Properties

Excellent source of vitamin C , 1 cup provides over 50% daily value; historically crucial for preventing scurvy in Northern European winters
Contains glucosinolates , anti-cancer compounds (same family as broccoli, kale)
Rich in fiber, potassium, and manganese; good source of calcium and magnesium
Contains beta-carotene (yellow-fleshed varieties) and vitamin K (from greens)
Traditional remedy for coughs and respiratory ailments in Northern European folk medicine

📝 Growing Notes

Rutabaga (called 'swede' in UK/Australia, 'neep' in Scotland) is a cross between turnip and wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea). Distinct from turnips: rutabagas have yellow/orange flesh (vs. white), smoother blue-green leaves with a more pronounced neck, are larger, sweeter, and much slower-growing (90, 120 days vs. 30, 60 for turnips). Plant in mid-summer for fall harvest , rutabagas are VERY cold-hardy and flavor sweetens dramatically after frost. Can overwinter in ground with heavy mulch in Zone 4+. Store at 32, 40°F with high humidity (root cellar). Boron deficiency is the most common problem , causes brown heart; supplement if needed. Wax coating on store-bought rutabagas is applied after harvest to prevent moisture loss , homegrown ones don't need it and taste far superior.

🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Johnny's Selected Seeds Botanical Interests True Leaf Market Burpee Territorial Seed Company

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