Rutabagas were originally from Europe, but this American Purple Top variety comes from the 1920s. It produces smooth, 4-6″ rutabagas with purple shoulders and yellow, sweet, fine-grained flesh.
Rutabaga – American Purple Top – Brassica napus
Soil & Water: Rutabagas require well-worked, well-drained, very rich soil, with plenty of phosphorus and potassium. (If you have acid soil, add lime too, as rutabagas prefer 5.5 to 6.5 pH.) Remove any lumps and rocks in the dirt, or they may influence the shape and quality of the final harvest. Requires moderate water.
Planting & Growing: Direct sow in spring or summer.
Harvesting & Storage: For sweetest flavor, harvest after two frosts have occurred. This variety stores 4-6 months under the proper conditions.
Soil Temperature: 55-80F
Planting Depth: 1/4-1/2″
Germination: 7-14 Days
Height At Maturity: 4-6″
Days To Maturity: 90-100 Days
Sun/Shade: Full Sun
Spacing After Thinning: 6-8″
