Blyth - Rutabaga Capital of Canada

The Hubbard family is famous throughout the region, synonymous with rutabagas, a root vegetable crop. George Hubbard began his venture growing rutabagas near his hometown of Bright, Ontario in 1960, eventually moving to the fertile fields around Blyth and purchasing Russell Dougherty’s waxing plant in 1962 and expanding and modernizing the operation, and thrusting the village into the spotlight as “the Rutabaga Capital of Canada”. G.L. Hubbard Ltd. will celebrate 65 years of growing rutabagas this year, now co-owned and operated by the next generation of Hubbard family members, Philip, Cathy and Susan.

 

Rutabagas, also known as Swedes, are believed to be a hybrid of turnips and cabbage, possibly originating in Scandinavia. The first known mention of the rutabaga was by Swiss botanist Gaspard Bauhin in 1620, and it quickly spread to Britain and across Europe. Immigrants eventually brought them to North America, as an important food source for humans and livestock, especially in colder climates.

 

Rutabagas can be a difficult crop to grow and maintain, but with a history of growing them the Hubbard family knows how best to nurture the crop throughout its life cycle. 

 

The growing season for rutabagas begins in the spring with staggered plantings through June. It takes ninety days for a rutabaga crop to mature, from planting to harvest. Farmgate sales of harvested rutabagas are a small fraction of what G.L.Hubbard Ltd. does with their crop. Hubbard’s rutabagas are distributed to the wholesale market by Stovel Siemon Ltd.,a grower, packer and distributor of rutabagas located near Mitchell. 

 

Rutabagas have many recipe uses and are an excellent source of Vitamin C. One cup of rutabaga contains 75% of your daily Vitamin C. 

 

G.L.Hubbard is open to the public for farmgate sales of their rutabagas from Monday to Friday 8 a.m  to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m to 5 p.m., and rutabaga recipe books are available from the Hubbard’s for purchase upon request. If stored in a cool, dry space, rutabagas will keep for up to a month. Consider rutabagas for your next Thanksgiving meal, or incorporate it into a regular meal, dessert or snack! Find G.L.Hubbard at 367 Dinsley St., on the eastern edge of Blyth.