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Rutabaga · Purple-top

Fall Rutabagas

Annual · Brassicaceae

American Purple Top is the standard home-garden rutabaga grown for large yellow-fleshed roots with purple shoulders and long storage life. It is primarily a fall crop in warm zones and a spring-or-fall crop in cooler zones, and the flavor improves after light frost when the roots become sweeter and milder.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity
85–100 days
Sun
6+ hours
full sun 6-8+ hours
Spacing
6–8 "
Container
Not Ideal
3+ gallon pot
Height
1–1.5 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 5–10 days
Optimal Temp 70°F
Seed Depth 0.5"

Watering

Weekly Water 1 "
Needs Moderate
Method Drip

Soil

pH Range 6–7
Soil Type Loose fertile loam or sandy loam free of fresh manure and major clods.

Resilience

Heat: Low Cold: High Drought: Moderate

Common Problems

clubroot
Cause: Acidic poorly drained brassica soils favor swollen diseased roots and stunting.
Prevention: Rotate brassicas, improve drainage, and maintain pH near neutral.
root-splitting
Cause: Uneven moisture during rapid swelling can crack roots.
Prevention: Keep soil evenly moist as roots size up.

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Light feeder

Harvest

Harvest when roots are 3 to 5 inches across, firm, and well colored with purple shoulders and yellow flesh.

Expected Yield 0.5–1.5 lbs/plant
Storage 120 days — Trim tops and store roots very cool and humid like other winter storage roots.

Sources

seed_catalog Holmes Seed Company university University of Minnesota Extension

Fall Rutabagas Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Fall Rutabagas vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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