American Purple Top Rutabaga Seeds (Brassica napus var. napobrassica cv.)

Thomas Jefferson recorded eleven plantings of the Swedish Turnip or Rutabaga in the Monticello vegetable garden and he may have played a role in introducing this cold-hardy crop to the U.S. when he forwarded seed sent from Yorkshire, England, to a Virginian in 1795. The American Purple Top Rutabaga is likely a variety described as “Common Purple-Top Yellow” by Fearing Burr (1865) with bright yellow flesh and brilliant purple shoulders.

Direct sow seeds in loose, well-drained soil in mid to late summer (or 8-10 weeks before the first frost) for a fall harvest as frost improves the flavor. Harvest while temperatures remain above 20°F. Approximately 200 seeds per packet.