When to Plant Rutabaga in Bend, Oregon (97708)

Location

Bend, Oregon

ZIP Code

97708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Based on last frost Wednesday, April 15, 2026 · Zone 6b

Pro tip: Sow Rutabaga directly outdoors 14 weeks before your last frost date.

Add to Calendar (.ics)

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Brassica napus var. napobrassica

Days to Maturity 90 days

Mature Height 18-24"

Spread 8"

Type Root

Fruit Size Medium-Large (3-5 inches)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6+ hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1 inch/week)

↔️

Spacing

8" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 4-7 days

Ready to Plant Rutabaga in Bend?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

🛒 Buy on Amazon 🌿 True Leaf Market

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🤝 Good Companions

OnionGarlicPeaBean

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

TomatoPepper

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Rutabaga

See which plants help Rutabaga thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟡 Moderate

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Biennial — overwinter roots and harvest seed pods in year 2 when tan and dry.

Processing

Thresh dried pods, winnow to separate seeds.

Seed Viability

Up to 4 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Brassica napus — crosses with other napus varieties including canola/rapeseed. Isolate by 300 feet.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 72 plants of Rutabaga. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rutabaga in Bend, Oregon? +

In Bend (Zone 6b), direct sow Rutabaga outdoors around Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Bend, Oregon? +

The average last spring frost date for Bend, Oregon (ZIP 97708) is around Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 6b.

How long does Rutabaga take to grow? +

Rutabaga typically matures in about 90 days from direct sowing. In Bend, that means you can expect harvest around Wednesday, January 7, 2026 plus 90 days.

Should I start Rutabaga indoors or direct sow in Oregon? +

Rutabaga does best when direct sown outdoors. In Bend, sow directly around Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

📚 More Rutabaga Planting Guides

🗺️

Rutabaga in Oregon

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 6b Rutabaga Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Bend

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Rutabaga in Zone 6b

Rutabaga (Brassica napus var. napobrassica) is a popular garden vegetable. In Bend, Oregon, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, you should direct sow seeds around Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Rutabaga grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.