Rutabagas will get larger if they are planted early enough. Neither should they be left in the ground during hard freezing weather. These roots store well in plastic bags in the refrigerator or in a cold root cellar. Although rutabagas and turnips are normally cooked, many people choose to eat them lightly stir-fried or raw in salads. Several species of leaf-feeding caterpillars eat the foliage.
Cutworms can sever the seedling.
Wire-worms occasionally feed on turnip roots. Damping-off, downy mildew, white spot and black rot are diseases that will damage turnips and rutabagas. Prepared by Powell Smith, County Extension Agent, Lexington County and Debbie Shaughnessy, HGIC Information Specialist, Clemson University. This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas.