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.