How to Grow Storage #4 Rutabaga
Brassica napus 'American Purple Top'
Storage #4 Rutabaga is a hardy brassica valued for its sweet, dense roots that store well through winter. Gardeners grow this heirloom variety to enjoy flavorful harvests in cool weather while maintaining excellent cold tolerance.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Storage #4 Rutabaga: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Storage #4 Rutabaga is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors rather than starting indoors, planting them 2-6 weeks before the last frost date.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors 2-6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Press seeds into the soil at a depth of about half an inch. Germination typically occurs within 7 to 14 days under these conditions.
Space plants 6 to 8 inches apart to allow proper root development. Maintain consistent moisture, as this variety requires high water levels throughout its growth cycle. Apply organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Feed regularly with a balanced fertilizer if the soil is not already rich.
Watch for flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, and aphids; use row covers or insecticidal soap early in the season. Prevent clubroot, black rot, and soft rot by rotating crops and ensuring good drainage. Harvest roots 90 to 110 days after sowing when they are firm and full-sized.
When to Plant Storage #4 Rutabaga
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | August – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | June – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | May – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | April – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | March – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | March – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | March – December |
Companion Plants for Storage #4 Rutabaga
✓ Good companions
Natural pest deterrent against root flies and aphids
Shallow roots don't compete with deep rutabaga roots, efficient space use
Repel nematodes and various garden pests harmful to root vegetables
Trap crop for flea beetles and aphids, protecting rutabaga leaves
Repel root maggots and flea beetles that commonly attack rutabagas
Fix nitrogen in soil which rutabagas need for leafy growth
Quick harvest breaks up soil for rutabaga root development
Cool season companion with different root depth, maximizes garden space
✗ Keep away from
Heavy nitrogen fixation can cause excessive leaf growth at expense of root development
Allelopathic compounds inhibit growth of nearby brassica family plants
Both are heavy feeders competing for same nutrients, different watering needs
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
