Brora

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Sink your spoon into Brora rutabaga’s sweet, mellow depth—its flesh is buttery-tender with a fine, even grain and a clean, comforting finish.

At maturity, the roots form a handsome, rounded-to-oval silhouette with a warm golden interior and a softly blushed shoulder that promises uniform performance in the garden. Brora shines for roasting and mashing, and it also lends itself beautifully to hearty soups, gratins, and tangy pickled preparations.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 90 DaysHabit: Taproot

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	90
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Taproot
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Brora rutabaga cooks up buttery and uniform—less fibrous grit, more spoonable silk—so it thrives where you want a thick, cozy texture. Roast or mash it and let the mild peppery lift stand up to tangy mustard and cider vinegar without losing its sweet backbone.

Best Uses

roasting and browning, then mashing into a smooth, spoon-coating puree
hearty soups where it melts into velvety body
gratin slices that crisp at the edges without turning grainy
tangy pickles for a sweet-acid crunch

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow brassica earthiness buttery-tender flesh with fine, even grain clean, comforting finish with mild peppery lift

Kitchen Pairings

brown butter mustard bay leaf sage apple cider vinegar Greek yogurt

Frequently Asked Questions

Brora (90-day) — how do I handle powdery mildew if it shows up on the leaves?

Powdery mildew on Brora typically appears as a white, dusty coating on leaves during warm, humid spells. Remove the worst-affected leaves, improve airflow (space plants evenly, thin if crowded), and spray with a labeled sulfur or potassium bicarbonate product at the first signs and repeat as directed on the label. Avoid overhead watering to keep leaf surfaces drier, since Brora mildew spreads quickly when foliage stays wet.

How often should I water Brora during the main growing phase to avoid stress?

During the main growing phase, keep soil evenly moist but not soggy—aim for about 1 inch of water per week total, split into 1–2 deeper waterings. If the top 1 inch of soil is dry, water; if it’s still wet or water runs off, wait. Consistent moisture is key for Brora to stay productive, especially as plants bulk up after establishment.

How can I tell when Brora is ready to harvest?

Harvest Brora when plants reach full size (about 90 days) and the edible parts are firm and fully developed for the variety. Look for maturity cues like color change and reduced leaf tenderness—if leaves are still very fresh and tender, give it a few more days. For the best quality, harvest on a dry day and don’t leave it in the ground once it starts to look overripe or gets noticeably softer.