Harvest rutabagas when root tops are 3 to five inches in diameter. Younger, small roots would be the maximum comfortable and succulent. Rutabagas touched by way of a minimum of two frosts would be the sweetest and maximum flavorful.
When to Harvest Rutabagas
- Rutabagas are able for harvest 90 to 110 days after sowing.
- Harvest rutabagas when the tops are 3 to five inches in diameter. If allowed to get too giant, rutabagas will transform difficult and fibrous.
- Harvest rutabaga vegetables younger and comfortable. Lower the outer leaves an inch or so above the crown and the leaves will develop again briefly. Don’t minimize too many leaves or you’re going to gradual root enlargement.
- Rutabagas are cool-season crops that develop best possible at temperatures between 60° and 65 °F (15-18°C). Rutabagas don’t develop properly and taste will endure if grown the place sunlight hours temperatures are constantly more than 80°F (26°C).
- The place winters are gentle and the soil is well-drained, go away rutabagas within the flooring till you want them however harvest them earlier than they begin rising once more in spring.
- The place the bottom freezes, carry rutabagas earlier than the soil freezes. If roots freeze, the flavour gained’t be excellent, and a freeze will yellow and wither rutabaga vegetables.
Learn how to Harvest Rutabagas
- Pull or carry roots sparsely from the lawn in order to not damage or injure them. Use a lawn hand fork to loosen the soil across the roots if vital.
- It’s best possible to drag rutabagas when the soil is dry.
Learn how to Retailer Rutabagas
- Twist off the vegetables after lifting the roots. Casting off the tops earlier than garage will a great deal lengthen garage existence.
- Retailer the most efficient rutabagas. Bruised or broken roots is not going to retailer properly and must be eaten quickly after harvest. Gently rub soil from the roots earlier than storing them. Don’t wash roots earlier than you retailer them; for those who do, you’ll want to dry them completely.
- Retailer rutabagas in a chilly wet position as as regards to freezing as imaginable with out precise freezing, 32°-40°F (0°-4°C) and 95 % relative humidity.
- Retailer rutabagas wrapped in a humid fabric or paper towel positioned in a perforated plastic bag within the vegetable crisper drawer of the fridge. Rutabagas will stay within the fridge for 4 to five months.
- Retailer rutabaga vegetables simply as you could possibly rutabaga roots.
- Rutabagas additionally can also be saved within the lawn, root cellar, or storage.
Storing Rutabagas within the Lawn
- Retailer rutabagas within the lawn by way of insulating the soil from freezing; stay the soil 35° to 40°F (2°-4° C) by way of hanging a 10- to 12-inch-thick layer of leaves, hay, or straw mulch over the rows; lengthen the mulch on each side of every row by way of every other 18 inches or extra. Mulching will give protection to roots even underneath two toes of snow. Dig roots during the wintry weather as wanted. If rutabagas keep within the flooring all wintry weather, harvest them earlier than new most sensible enlargement begins in spring.
- If roots can’t be safe from freezing soil, dig them up and retailer them in a root cellar or basement or in a storage the place the temperature is set 32° to 38°F (0°-3°C); retailer roots in a bucket or picket field stuffed with simply damp sand, peat moss, or sawdust. Pack the roots in order that they’re insulated and lined and don’t contact one every other; some wet air will have to have the ability to flow into so don’t totally seal the container.
- Rutabagas will retailer for 4 to six months.
- Test roots in garage incessantly and take away any that display indicators of degradation.
Additionally of passion:
Learn how to Develop Rutabagas
Rutabaga: Kitchen Fundamentals
