root · direct sow
Rutabaga: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating rutabaga a few times a week needs about 3 plants in ~3 sq ft, worth about $8 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$2.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1 | ~1 sq ft | ~2 | ~$3 |
| 2 people | 2 | ~2 sq ft | ~4 | ~$5 |
| 4 people | 3 | ~3 sq ft | ~6 | ~$8 |
| 6 people | 5 | ~4 sq ft | ~10 | ~$13 |
Spacing
6" in row · 18" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
90 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | Jun 2 – Jul 14 |
| Zone 4 | — | Jun 12 – Jul 24 |
| Zone 5 | — | Jun 22 – Aug 3 |
| Zone 6 | — | Jul 2 – Aug 13 |
| Zone 7 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 23 |
| Zone 8 | — | Aug 2 – Sep 13 |
| Zone 9 | — | Aug 22 – Oct 3 |
| Zone 10 | — | Sep 1 – Oct 13 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 1.25 lbs per plant over ~1 productive weeks (~1.25 lb).
Watch for
Cabbage worms & loopers · Aphids · Flea beetles — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with onion-bulb, garlic, english-pea, spinach. Keep away from tomato-slicing, tomato-cherry, tomato-paste.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
37 kcal · 2.3 g fiber · 25 mg vitamin C · 305 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.