Improved Helenor

START SEEDS DIRECTLY OUTDOORS Mild Winter Areas: In midsummer, sow seeds in well-drained garden soil in full sun. Sow 2 inches apart and 1/2 inch deep in rows 12 inches apart. When several inches tall, thin seedlings to stand 6 inches apart, so roots have room to size up. If spring sowing is your only option, sow seed as soon as soil can be worked, and harvest as soon as roots size up to avoid them becoming fibrous. Cold Winter Areas: Plant as above in early to midsummer, about 12 weeks before first fall frost, so roots will finish in cooler autumn weather. Flavor gets sweeter after a few frosts; mulch to protect roots from freezing. GROWING NOTES Rutabaga reach top quality and flavor maturing in cool weather, so are best planted midsummer for a fall crop. For best quality roots, keep plants consistently moist and well weeded. Use floating row covers or fine insect netting to keep out pests while seedlings are young. HARVEST AND USE Harvest as needed when roots reach tennis ball size; pull or dig out roots carefully. Rutabagas are delicious peeled, then cut in chunks, tossed with olive oil & roasted until tender by themselves or with other root vegetables. Or slice them up to sauté gently in butter, or steam and mash.