Laurentian Rutabaga seeds
Embrace the heartiness and versatility of the Laurentian Rutabaga, a beloved heirloom variety that thrives in cooler climates. Our seeds offer the chance to cultivate this robust root vegetable, prized for its sweet, earthy flavor and exceptional storage qualities. The Laurentian Rutabaga delivers a delightful combination of sweetness and earthiness, perfect for roasting, mashing, adding to stews, or enjoying raw in salads. It's also a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
This variety flourishes in areas with shorter growing seasons and cooler temperatures, making it an excellent choice for northern gardens. Enjoy the bounty of your harvest for months to come as the Laurentian Rutabaga stores exceptionally well. With its straightforward cultivation requirements, this rutabaga is suitable for both experienced gardeners and enthusiastic beginners. Bring a taste of tradition and resilience to your garden with the Laurentian Rutabaga. Order your seeds today and experience the satisfaction of growing this versatile and flavorful heirloom variety.
Seed count: 200
Botanic name:
Brassica napus
Spacing:
- 6-8" apart
- 18-24" for rows
Color:
Cream colored base with a lavender top
Sowing depth:
1/2"
Sun requirements:
Full
Utilization:
The Laurentian Rutabaga's sweet and slightly nutty flavor lends itself to a variety of culinary uses. Roast it into tender, caramelized cubes, or mash it for a comforting side dish. Add chunks to hearty stews and soups for depth and richness, or layer it into gratins and casseroles for a satisfying baked meal. You can even grate it raw into salads for a touch of sweetness and crunch.
Frost Hardy:
Yes
Maturity days:
90-100 days
Life Cycle:
Biennial
Can I Start Indoors?
Not recommended
Container Friendly?:
Yes
Other names:
Neep
Growing Instructions:
When to Plant:
- Cool-season crop: Rutabagas are best planted in the cool weather of spring or fall.
- Spring Planting: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost. Transplant outdoors when seedlings have a few true leaves and the soil has warmed.
- Fall Planting: Direct sow seeds into the garden 10-12 weeks before the first expected fall frost. This allows enough time for the rutabagas to mature before the cold weather sets in.
Where to Plant:
- Full sun: Rutabagas need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Well-drained soil: The soil should be loose, fertile, and well-drained.
- Soil pH: Aim for a slightly acidic soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8
How to Plant:
Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches and remove any rocks or debris. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility.
Sow the seeds:
- Direct sowing: Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and 2-3 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart.
- Transplanting: If starting seeds indoors, transplant seedlings outdoors when they have a few true leaves. Space seedlings 6-8 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart.
Care and Maintenance:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Thinning: When seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to the strongest plants, spacing them 6-8 inches apart.
- Weeding: Keep the area around the rutabagas free of weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize once or twice during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
Harvesting:
- Maturity: Rutabagas are typically ready to harvest 90-100 days after planting.
- Size: Harvest when the roots are 3-5 inches in diameter.
- Method: Carefully loosen the soil around the rutabagas and lift them out of the ground.
- Storage: Rutabagas can be stored in a cool, dark place for several months.
Additional Tips:
- Succession planting: For a continuous harvest, plant rutabagas every 2-3 weeks.
- Pest and disease control: Rutabagas are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, keep an eye out for cabbage root maggots, flea beetles, and clubroot.
- Crop rotation: Avoid planting rutabagas in the same spot year after year to prevent the buildup of soilborne diseases.
Enjoy your homegrown rutabagas! They can be roasted, mashed, added to stews and soups, or grated into salads.
