Dig into sweet, nutty goodness with this cold-hardy root!
American Purple Top Rutabaga is a hearty, old-fashioned favorite that brings comfort and flavor to your garden and kitchen. With its purple shoulders and creamy yellow flesh, this root veggie is perfect for roasting, mashing, or tossing into stews. It’s a reliable grower and a winter staple that stores beautifully.
Variety: American Purple Top Rutabaga (Brassica napus)
Growth Habit: Cool-season biennial (grown as annual)
Height: 12–18 inches
Flavor Profile: Sweet, nutty, and earthy
Color: Purple top with yellow flesh
Planting Conditions: Full sun and deep, well-drained soil
Harvest Timeline: Roots mature in 90–100 days
Uses: Roasting, mashing, soups, stews, and winter storage
Fun Fact: Rutabagas are a natural cross between cabbage and turnip, making them a flavorful fusion of two garden classics!
Rutabaga American Purple Top is the kind of veggie that warms you from the inside out. Roast it with herbs for a caramelized treat, mash it like potatoes for a rustic twist, or cube it into hearty stews. Its sweet, nutty flavor shines in cold-weather cooking, and it stores like a champ, just tuck it into a root cellar or cool pantry and enjoy it all winter long.
To Full Size
🌞 Choose a Sunny Spot: Plant in full sun with deep, fertile soil that allows roots to expand.
🌱 Sow the Seeds: Direct sow ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows.
💧 Water Consistently: Keep soil evenly moist during root development.
🌿 Thin and Maintain: Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart once they sprout.
✂️ Harvest: Pull when roots are 4–6 inches in diameter and tops begin to swell above the soil. Cure for a few days in a cool, dry spot before storing.
