Proudly Packaged in Canada

  • A collection of American Purple Top Rutabagas with purplish crowns and creamy-yellow flesh, some whole and some cut into slices, displaying the texture and color.
  • Mckenzie brand rutabaga seed packet
  • Seed packet with vegetable information and QR code on a white background
  • Hand planting a small seed into soil outdoors, close-up view of fingers and ground.
  • Close-up of a hand planting a seed into seed starter pods arranged in a tray.
1 5

Rutabaga, American Purple Top Seeds

Brassica napus
$2.49
$2.49
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Earn 3 points for this item with our
rewards program.

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: 143798
  • Common Name: Rutabaga
  • Botanical Name: Brassica napus
Growing Information Chevron Down Chevron Forward
Safe for bees
Safe
for Bees
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 in.) per week
Days to maturity
Days to
Maturity:
90 days
Key Features Chevron Down Chevron Forward
  • Plant Type: Vegetable
  • Plant Lifecycle: Annual (plant every year)
  • Seed Type: Heirloom
  • 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 in.) per week
  • Landscape Use: Edible Garden
  • Growth Habit: Root
  • Flavour: Creamy, fine texture
  • Preparation Ideas: Great when roasted, mashed, mixed with sauteed carrots, turnips, and broccoli.
Instructions Chevron Down Chevron Forward

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 in.) 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.

  • Planting Depth: 1.3 cm (1/2in.)
  • Seed Spacing: Sow rutabaga seeds roughly 2.5 cm (1 in.) apart in rows, keeping rows approximately 45 cm (18 in.) apart.
  • Plant Spacing: 10 cm (4 in.)
  • Instructions for Nutrient Care: Apply SUPERThrive once per week. Soak in solution of 1/4 tsp per gal for 15 min. or longer depending on size and type.
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.
  • Rutabagas 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) 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 in) 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.

You may also like

Join our rewards program today to start saving!

Free Shipping on orders over $35

Asset 355.png__PID:07356088-e6e3-4be4-8b7a-eead460f7bf5

There are a ton of ways to earn!

Redeem points for BIG savings!

Enroll Now

Overall rating: 4.5 / 5 from 4 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Summary topics

Review topics: ["service"].

Review highlights

Reviews

So Happy With My Rutabaga

"First year growing rutabaga and they are doing AMAZING! So impressed with these seeds that I bought a couple more packs for next year. Perfect large rutabaga and tastes great!!! Highly recommend"

— Samantha (5/5)

Weather sucks

"The rutabagas are finally out but I think it has something to do with the cold evenings and barely 20ish temps we have been getting."

— Remi V. (3/5)

Great service

"Prompt service enable me to start my veggies inside, in preparation for planting outside as the weather permits."

— Sharon S. (5/5)

First time I have grown

"First time I have grown rutabagas. They look straightforward to grow. Love root vegetables because they are so easy to grow. They take care of themselves so perfect for a beginning gardener."

— Peggy L. (5/5)

Q&A

Learn More