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Growing American Purple Top Rutabaga in the Vegetable Garden

American Purple Top rutabaga performs best as a cool-season root crop. Direct sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, or sow in mid to late summer for fall harvest. Prepare a fertile, well-drained bed and sow seeds 0.25-0.5 inches deep in rows 12-18 inches apart. Keep soil evenly moist during germination, which typically takes 7-10 days in cool soil.

Once seedlings have several true leaves, thin to 6 inches between plants so roots have room to size up. Avoid allowing soil to dry out or become waterlogged. Consistent moisture and a balanced side-dress of fertilizer or compost help produce smooth, fine-textured roots. For fall crops, time sowing so roots mature in cool weather, as light frosts improve sweetness and flavor.

Harvesting of American Purple Top Rutabaga

Roots are usually ready to harvest around 90 days from sowing, when they reach about 4-6 inches across and have well-colored purple tops. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil, then carefully pull the roots to avoid damage. Remove foliage, leaving about 0.5 inch of stem to reduce storage rot.

Rutabagas hold well in the ground during cool weather and can be dug as needed until the soil freezes. For long-term storage, cure roots briefly in a cool, shaded, well-ventilated area, then store in a root cellar or refrigerator in a slightly moist medium. Properly stored roots keep for months, retaining their fine texture and sweet flavor.

About American Purple Top Rutabaga Garden Seeds

American Purple Top is a classic heirloom rutabaga and a standard market variety, long valued for its high yields, fine-grained yellow flesh, and excellent winter-keeping quality. Large, nearly round roots with purple shoulders and yellow skins are attractive both in the garden and at market.

Mild, sweet, and slightly earthy, the flesh turns rich golden or orange when cooked. American Purple Top rutabaga is delicious mashed like potatoes, roasted with other root vegetables, baked into casseroles, or added to soups and stews. It is also recommended by Utah State University and other extension services as a dependable, high-quality fall and winter root crop.

Tips From Our Gardeners

"Sow rutabagas for a fall harvest so roots can size up in cool weather. Thin promptly to 6 inches, keep soil consistently moist, and let plants catch a light frost or two before digging for the sweetest, best-flavored roots."

- Jerry Sawyer, True Leaf Market Writer

American Purple Top Rutabaga Seeds Per Package:

• 4 g Packet - Approximately 1,200 Seeds
• 1 oz - Bulk - Approximately 8,500 Seeds
• 4 oz - Bulk - Approximately 34,000 Seeds
• 1 lb - Bulk - Approximately 136,000 Seeds
• 5 lb - Bulk - Approximately 680,000 Seeds
• 25 lb - Wholesale - Approximately 3,400,000 Seeds

Non-GMO American Purple Top Rutabaga seeds are available for Fast Free Shipping on qualifying orders.