Why Grow Improved Purple Top Rutabaga?
A Garden Classic Improved Purple Top Rutabaga is a time-tested favorite that has earned its place in home gardens for generations. Also known as American Purple Top Rutabaga, this variety produces attractive 4–5 inch globe-shaped roots with deep purple tops, golden-yellow lower portions, and a smooth, uniform appearance. Easy to grow and highly productive, it’s an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a dependable cool-season root crop.
Nutritious Roots and Greens for a Complete Harvest Improved Purple Top Rutabaga develops rich orange flesh when cooked, offering outstanding flavor and versatility in the kitchen. The nutritious roots are delicious roasted, mashed, added to soups, or prepared in your favorite comfort food recipes. Don’t forget the greens, either—they're tender and flavorful when harvested young and pair perfectly with the cooked roots for a classic, homegrown meal. With its attractive roots, excellent eating quality, and dual-purpose harvest, Improved Purple Top Rutabaga is a must-have for any fall or winter garden.
Rutabaga Growing Tips
• When to Plant Rutabagas
Rutabagas are a cool season root crop that grows best during the fall months, when cool temperatures help develop sweet, flavorful roots. While they can be grown in the spring in cooler climates, fall is the preferred planting season for most gardeners, especially in the South. Rutabagas are typically direct seeded, as they develop the best root shape when grown without transplanting.
To plant, make a shallow furrow about ½ inch deep and lightly sow seeds along the row. Cover with soil, press gently to ensure good seed-to-soil contact, and keep the soil consistently moist until germination. Once seedlings emerge, thin them to 6–8 inches apart to allow plenty of room for the roots to size up.
Rutabagas tolerate frost well, and cool weather actually improves their flavor by converting starches into natural sugars. They can remain in the garden well into late fall and even after several light frosts.
• How to Fertilize Rutabagas
It's always a good idea to apply some pre-plant fertilizer to the soil before sowing rutabaga seeds. We like to sprinkle Coop Gro organic fertilizer across our raised beds or garden rows prior to planting. This provides the nutrients needed for strong root development and healthy top growth.
Once the plants are established, feed them with a balanced fertilizer to encourage vigorous leaf growth and the development of large, high-quality roots. We like to use a liquid solution of AgroThrive Fruit & Flower or lightly sprinkle Coop Gro around the base of the plants and work it into the soil. Consistent moisture and steady fertility will help produce sweeter, more uniform rutabagas.
• When to Harvest Rutabagas
Rutabagas are typically ready to harvest when the roots reach 4–6 inches in diameter, depending on the variety. At this size, they'll have excellent flavor and texture while remaining tender.
One of the best things about rutabagas is that you don't have to wait for the roots to mature to enjoy the crop. As the plants grow, you can harvest the nutritious greens for cooking, leaving plenty of foliage behind so the roots continue to develop. The greens are delicious sautéed or simmered and make an excellent complement to the cooked roots later in the season.
When the roots reach full size, gently loosen the soil and pull the plants by hand. Both the roots and greens can be enjoyed together for a hearty, homegrown meal, and the roots store well in a cool, dry location for months after harvest.
