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Rutabaga, American Purple Top Seeds

Brassica napus
Regular price $1.89
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Product Information Chevron Down Chevron Forward

American Purple Top Rutabaga seeds offer a classic heirloom variety known for their large, sweet, and nutrient-rich roots.

Rutabaga American Purple Top's purplish crown gives way to a creamy-yellow, fine-grained flesh with a wonderful sweet flavor. Rutabaga stores well for use all winter.

  • SKU: 137151
  • Common Name: Rutabaga
  • Botanical Name: Brassica napus
Growing Information Chevron Down Chevron Forward
Grow best in
Grows
Best In:
Full Sun
Days to germination
Days to
Germination:
8 - 12 days
Water needs
Water
Needs:
Average 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week
Days to maturity
Days to
Maturity:
90 days
Key Features Chevron Down Chevron Forward
  • Plant Type: Vegetable
  • Plant Lifecycle: Annual
  • Fill Weight (grams): 2.5 g
  • Approximate Seed Count: 800-900
  • Characteristics: Attracts bees, butterflies, pollinators, and songbirds
  • Planting Method: Start Indoors
  • Water Needs: Average 2.5-5 cm (1-2") per week
  • Landscape Use: Edible Garden
  • Growth Habit: Root
  • Flavor: Creamy, fine texture
  • Preparation Ideas: Great when roasted, mashed, mixed with sauteed carrots, turnips, and broccoli.
Instructions Chevron Down Chevron Forward
    Growing Instructions:

    Rutabaga is a cool season crop and seeds can be sown directly in the garden in early Spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Soil temperature (not air temperature) should be between 4-16° C (40-60°F) . Space seeds and plant to the depth indicated below. Press seeds into the soil to ensure good contact and cover with 2.5 cm (1") of soil. After planting, water seeds with a gentle mist or shower. It is critical to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy during germination. When your seedlings reach a height of a few centimetres (inches) and have developed 2 or 3 pairs of leaves, it is important to thin them out, according to the plant spacing indicated below. Rutabags do not like to be crowded. When this happens they will grow huge tops with skinny roots. Do not allow the soil to become dry, as young plants have underdeveloped roots and can quickly dehydrate, particularly in windy conditions.

    Click here to read more information on planning and planting a garden.

  • Planting Depth: 1.3 cm (1/2")
  • Seed Spacing: Sow rutabaga seeds roughly 2.5 cm (1") apart in rows, keeping rows approximately 45 cm (18") apart.
  • Plant Spacing: 10 cm (4")
  • Instructions for Nutrient Care: Feed plants SUPERthrive once per week. Mix 1.2 ml (1/4 tsp) per 4L (1 gallon) of water in a watering can and apply solution to the base of the plants.
Suggestions Chevron Down Chevron Forward
Growing Suggestions:
  • Rutabagas are a cross between a turnip and cabbage.
  • Use a row cover during the first few weeks of seedling growth to protect plants from insect pests.
  • Leave them in the ground until they receive a 'light' frost which brings out a richer flavor. Be sure to remove them before the ground freezes.
  • Rutabagas can grow to the size of a grapefruit.
  • Rutabags require consistent moisture. Spotty watering from dry to wet will cause split roots.
  • A continuous average temperature of over 26°C ( 80ºF) might cause bolting.
  • For best taste, harvest the roots when they are 10-12 cm (4-5") in diameter for best taste. Lift roots carefully from the ground using a garden fork. Rutabagas can be harvested earlier at the 5-8 cm (2-3") size for a more tender, succulent texture.
  • It is normal for the roots to push up out of the ground as they increase in size.

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