{"product_id":"american-purple-top-rutabaga-heirloom-seeds","title":"American Purple Top Rutabaga, Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAmerican Purple Top Rutabaga, Heirloom Seeds — USU-Recommended, Large 5–6” Roots, Sweet Fine-Grained Yellow Flesh That Turns Golden When Cooked\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmerican Purple Top Rutabaga (\u003cem\u003eBrassica napus var. napobrassica\u003c\/em\u003e) is a classic heirloom and a standard market variety, long valued for its high yields, fine-grained yellow flesh, and excellent winter-keeping quality. Recommended by Utah State University as a dependable, high-quality fall and winter root crop. Large, nearly round 5–6 inch roots with attractive purple shoulders over yellow-cream skins develop mild, sweet, slightly earthy yellow flesh that turns rich golden to orange when cooked — perfect for mashing, roasting, and hearty winter soups. The edible greens are large and tender, excellent in salads. A light frost or two before harvest sweetens the roots significantly. 90 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow American Purple Top?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSU-recommended variety\u003c\/strong\u003e — dependable, high-quality fall and winter root crop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge 5–6” nearly round roots\u003c\/strong\u003e — purple shoulders over yellow-cream skin, beautiful at harvest and market\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSweet, fine-grained yellow flesh\u003c\/strong\u003e — turns rich golden-orange when cooked; mild and delicious\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrost improves flavor\u003c\/strong\u003e — light frosts before harvest concentrate sugars for the sweetest roots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdible greens\u003c\/strong\u003e — large, tender leaves excellent in salads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutstanding winter keeper\u003c\/strong\u003e — stores for months in a root cellar or refrigerator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eMash with butter and cream for a classic rutabaga mash — richer and more flavorful than potato alone. Roast cubed with other root vegetables and olive oil until caramelized. Add to hearty soups, stews, and casseroles where the dense flesh holds its shape and absorbs surrounding flavors. Slice thin and eat raw with dips. Use cooked and mashed as a pie filling. The flesh turns a beautiful golden-orange when cooked, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStorage \u0026amp; Curing\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRoots hold well in the ground during cool weather and can be dug as needed until the soil freezes. For long-term storage, trim tops to ½ inch, cure briefly in a cool shaded area, then store in a root cellar or refrigerator in a slightly moist medium. Properly stored roots keep for months, retaining fine texture and sweet flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked, or sow in mid to late summer for a fall harvest. Sow ¼–½ inch deep in rows 12–18 inches apart in fertile, well-draining soil (pH 6.0–7.5) in full sun. Germination: 7–10 days at 55–75°F. Thin to 6 inches once seedlings have several true leaves — prompt thinning is essential for large roots. Keep soil evenly moist throughout the season. Time fall sowings so roots mature in cool weather; allow light frosts for the sweetest flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flea beetles, cabbage root maggots, aphids, and cabbage worms. Practice crop rotation and maintain good drainage to reduce clubroot and other brassica diseases.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Germination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 days at 55–75°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoot Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–6 inches diameter, nearly round\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePurple shoulders over yellow-cream skin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlesh Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellow; turns golden-orange when cooked\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMild, sweet, slightly earthy; sweetens after frost\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEdible Greens\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — large, tender, excellent in salads\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended By\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUtah State University Extension\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–18 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 inches (thin promptly)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRow Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e12–18 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e¼–½ inch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFertile, well-draining; pH 6.0–7.5; consistent moisture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45–75°F; cool-season; frost-tolerant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMonths in root cellar or refrigerator when properly cured\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–10 (cool-season annual)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eBrassica napus var. napobrassica\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"2g \/ ~600+ Seeds","offer_id":41712297246854,"sku":"TLM\/C2-600-85-1124-28","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/image_7b44cf8d-4f70-4833-ac49-a1de113e2fa3.png?v=1789418897","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/american-purple-top-rutabaga-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}