Rutabaga (Brassica napobrassica) – Offered by Ferme Tourne-Sol
Rutabaga is a hardy and nutritious root vegetable , prized for its large, sweet, yellow-fleshed roots . Easy to grow and excellent for preserving, it produces a bountiful harvest that stores well through the winter, allowing you to enjoy its mild, slightly nutty flavor well into spring. Undemanding, it adapts well to cool climates and long growing seasons. Perfect for purées, stews, gratin dishes or simply roasted, it adds rich flavor and melting texture to winter dishes.
Type : Storage root vegetable
Plant habit : Upright foliage
Spread : 30 to 40 cm
Plant height : 40 to 60 cm
Quantity per pack : 250 seeds
Maturity : About 90 to 100 days
Companion plants : Peas, beans, carrots, Swiss chard, cabbage
Enemy plants : Radish, turnip, mustard
Cultivation method
Rutabaga thrives in full sun in rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. It is sown directly in the ground in spring or early summer , about 90 to 100 days before the first frost . Sow the seeds 1 cm deep , in rows spaced 40 cm apart, then thin the young plants to 15 cm to give them the space they need to grow well. Regular watering , without excess, promotes tender roots and prevents them from bursting. Applying mulch around the plants helps to conserve moisture and limits the proliferation of weeds. The roots are harvested when their diameter reaches 10 to 15 cm , and they gain flavor after a light frost. For best storage, pull them before a hard frost and store them in a cool, dark place.
Use and benefits
Versatile and tasty, rutabaga is perfect for cooking in puree, soup, gratin or roasted in the oven . It brings a melting texture and a subtle sweetness to simmered dishes and goes wonderfully with meats and legumes. Low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins C and B6, potassium and antioxidants , it is an excellent ally for a balanced diet. Thanks to its long conservation , it is an essential part of winter provisions, allowing you to enjoy vegetables from the garden even in the middle of winter.
Hardy and easy to grow, rutabaga is an ideal choice for gardeners looking for a tasty, nutritious and sustainable vegetable.
