Gilfeather

Family: Brassicaceae Root Vegetable

Sweet, mellow, and deeply earthy—Gilfeather rutabaga develops a rich, buttery flavor with a tender, fine-grained bite that feels velvety from the first forkful.

Its rounded shoulders and smooth skin promise uniform roots, while the dense flesh holds its character for comforting roasts, hearty mash, and silky sauces. Grow Gilfeather for a dependable 110-day season that rewards with dependable texture and a satisfying, slow-simmer depth in every harvest basket.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 110 DaysHabit: Rosette

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	Aug 13th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	110
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Gilfeather rutabaga leans sweet and mellow, with a tender, fine-grained texture that turns velvety instead of grainy—exactly what you want for mashes and puree that cling to a spoon. Roast it for caramelized edges, then let it cozy out in butter, cream, or a long simmer to bring up that slow-butter depth without getting harsh.

Best Uses

roasted wedges with crisp edges and creamy centers
mash with butter/cream for a spoon-coating texture
slow-simmered soups and stews where it melts into the broth
silky rutabaga puree or sauce base for proteins

Flavor Profile

sweet-mellow earthiness buttery, slow-building caramel tones fine-grained, velvety bite low-perfume brassica funk (pleasant, not sharp)

Kitchen Pairings

butter heavy cream smoked pork apple (or apple cider) mustard sage

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Brassica napus var. napobrassica (gilfeather), and how can I control it?

Gilfeather (a Brassica napus turnip-type) is commonly hit by clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae), which causes swollen, distorted roots and stunted growth. Improve control by avoiding brassicas in the same bed for several years, and keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged—then water at the soil line and remove infected plants promptly to reduce spread.

How often should I water gilfeather during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I aim for?

During the main bulbing phase, water deeply about 1–2 times per week depending on heat, keeping the top 6–8 inches of soil consistently moist. Let the surface dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the root zone to swing from dry to saturated, which can slow root thickening and increase cracking or disease pressure.

How can I tell when gilfeather is ready to harvest at around 110 days?

Harvest when roots reach useful size and the base of the plant looks full, typically near the 110-day mark from sowing. For best tenderness, start checking earlier by gently brushing soil away at the crown; harvest promptly once the roots are firm and well-formed, and avoid letting them overstay because quality can decline.