What is the best way to harvest and store rutabaga? Is it better to leave them until after the first light frost (like around 25-32°F)?
When to harvest rutabagas
Rutabagas, aka Swedish turnips, may be harvested whenever sized enough to eat. For storage they should be good-sized, so they will keep better.
Our general guidance is 20°F hardiness and harvest in March for rutabaga planted in July.
Rutabaga can take a frost, but must not freeze. Since much of the root is above ground, it will freeze at a lower temperature than something completely underground. In our Winter Vegetable Production on Small Farms and Gardens West of the Cascades, our general guidance is 20°F hardiness and harvest in March for rutabaga planted in July.
Storing rutabagas
To store, the area must be cool and preferably dark. Cut the tops to 1" and store in barely moist sawdust, not touching each other in bins or garbage cans. The ideal storage is a root cellar, but a garage that does not freeze will also work.
The University of Missouri Extension information for storing vegetables in root cellars says for rutabagas and turnips the cellar should be:
- Cold and very moist
- 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit
- 90 to 95 percent relative humidity
They can last for up to 6 months with proper storage.
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