B. napus (Rutabaga)

Species = Brassica napus

Rutabagas are cool weather biennials from Europe and Asia most commonly planted as vegetable annuals. Plant before the last spring frost, as soon as the soil is able to be worked.

The small seeds should be sown shallow, within the top half inch of the soil. A light dusting of wood ash at planting and occasionally throughout development will help keep root maggots away.

Rutabagas can be harvested young but are usually allowed to grow for the full season and harvested late fall or early winter. They can remain in the ground into winter, but should be harvested and stored in a cool, dark cellar before the ground freezes solid. Harvesting can be prolonged by heavily mulching (1-3 feet deep) rutabagas after the growing season. As temperatures begin dropping, periodically check the soil under the mulch. Harvest before ground under mulch freezes.

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