Rutabaga in Zone 3a & 3b
Brassica napus var. napobrassica
When to plant rutabaga in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Rutabaga doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Aug 1–Aug 8 |
| Estimated harvest | Oct 30–Nov 6 (~90 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.
Rutabaga is a cross between cabbage and turnip, grown for its dense, sweet-fleshed root. Unlike most vegetables in this guide, it isn't planted off the spring last-frost date at all. It's sown in summer, timed backward from the fall harvest you want.
How rutabaga fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Rutabaga needs about 90 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Rutabaga.
Where to buy rutabaga seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing rutabaga" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Rutabaga in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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