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Brassica napobrassica

Rutabagas are cool-weather vegetables grown for their tender, crisp roots, which are excellent cooked. Rutabagas grow best in soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. In most of the U.S. and southern Canada, where frost is expected in winter, sow seeds in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked and continue to sow every two weeks until five weeks before maximum daytime temperatures are expected to average above 80F. In late summer, when maximum daytime temperatures average below 80F, start successive plantings again until three months before minimum night temperatures avarage less than 20F. In regions where winter temperatures rarely fall below 25F, start successive plantings in late summer and continue until five weeks before maximum daytime temperatures average 80F.      To sow seeds, group three or four in a spot, setting each group 1/2 inch deep. Space groups 6-8 inches apart in rows 15 to 24 inches apart. When seedlings become 1 inch tall, cut off all but the strongest looking plant in each group. When the plants are 4 inches tall, scatter a 6- to 8-inch band of 5-10-5 fertilizer along each side of the row at the rate of 3 ounces to 10 feet of row. Harvest about three months after seeds are sown, or they can be mulched and kept in the ground until needed. To harvest, grasp tops and pull them up.

'American Purple Top', a favorite for years. American Purple Top's purplish crown gives way to creamy-yellow, fine-grained flesh with a sweet flavor. Harvest in 90 days. Boil and serve with butter, lemon juice and parsley. Mash alone, or with potatoes, sour cream, parsley and nutmeg.

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Site launched January 1, 2000. Site updated September 1, 2007.

[CyberSalad] [Garden Pursuits] [Garden Quotes] [Garden Journal] [The Language of Flowers] [Monthly Chores] [Garden Poetry] [Zone Maps] [First/Last Frost Dates] [Trees] [Ground Covers] [Fruit/Berries] [Water Garden] [Gardening Links] [Vegetables] [Lawn] [Raised Beds] [Bulbs, etc.] [Shrubs] [Perennials] [Annuals] [Herbs]