Rutabaga

The Fortin rutabaga is a heritage variety from Quebec, selected by the Fortin family of Cap-Saint-Ignace , using gardening and market gardening practices adapted to northern conditions. This selection work has resulted in a particularly robust, reliable rutabaga that is well-suited to the region.

This variety is distinguished by its production of large roots with purple skin and firm, nutritious yellow flesh . It exhibits excellent resistance to insects and diseases, contributing to consistent harvests even under less favorable conditions. Its slow, steady growth allows the root to fully develop its flavor.

In the garden, Fortin is prized for its consistency and hardiness. It thrives in deep, well-drained soils and benefits from the cool temperatures at the end of the season, which enhance the sweetness of its flesh. This variety is particularly well-suited to self-sufficient vegetable gardens, where reliable and long-lasting crops are desired.

The 'Marian' rutabaga is a remarkable variety, the result of selection work in the United Kingdom and designed specifically for family or community gardens. This nutritious plant, ancient yet decidedly modern, fits perfectly into a vegetable garden that works in harmony with the cycle of the seasons.

In a harmonious garden, Marian develops a beautiful rosette of large, soft green leaves with glaucous highlights, gently covering the ground and enhancing the balance of the cultivated space. Its root, with its yellow and purplish hues, partially emerges when mature, indicating slow and steady growth. It thrives in welcoming, deep, and consistently moist soils, where it can establish itself vigorously as soon as the weather cools down.

With a growing cycle of 85 to 95 days, this rutabaga offers extended autumn harvests, a welcome source of consistent food for the family. It is a reliable plant, a faithful companion for cool-season crops and vegetable gardens rooted in sustainable farming practices.

The 'Joan' rutabaga is a robust variety resulting from a cross between a turnip and a kale. Originating in the cool temperate regions of Northern Europe, this root vegetable has earned a prominent place in Quebec gardens under the familiar name of "Siam cabbage." In a well-balanced garden, it thrives calmly and steadily, drawing its strength from the summer sun and the cool autumn air.

Its rounded, smooth, and swollen root forms beneath a rosette of deep green foliage. Joan is distinguished by its excellent uniformity and resistance to clubroot, a valuable asset for gardeners committed to sustainable cultivation. It thrives in welcoming, loose, and rich soils, allowing it to reach its full potential.

In a well-designed growing space, it is sown in summer for a generous autumn harvest. It is a reliable, consistent, and simple plant that nourishes the connection between soil and table with simplicity and efficiency.