2020 - Page 20 of 27 - Garden and Allotment Tips and Advice

Unlock the Tropical Delight: A Guide on How to Grow Pineapple at Home

November 8, 2024June 5, 2020 by Gardening With Ben

How to grow pineapple

Unlock the Tropical Delight: A Guide on How to Grow Pineapple at Home

Imagine plucking a fresh, juicy pineapple from your own garden, savoring the tropical sweetness cultivated right at home. Growing pineapple may seem like a distant dream, reserved for warmer climates, but with the right knowledge and a touch of patience, you can turn that dream into a reality. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps, from selecting the perfect pineapple crown to nurturing it into a thriving, fruit-bearing plant. Get ready to embark on a journey to cultivate your own tropical delight as we delve into the art of growing pineapple at home.

Did you know Pineapples don’t actually grow on trees like in the song Agadoo! They grow on plants and you can actually try growing them yourself. Don’t expect them to grow a pineapple for around 3 years though! So it could be a long wait but it is a lot of fun trying. Why not get your children or grandchildren involved in trying to grow one.

You can actually grow pineapple in the UK as long as the temperature is right you could have great success. Try growing them as indoor plants or in a polytunnel or warm greenhouse.

Here in this article we will help you with how to grow a pineapple. Fingers crossed you have success and in 3 years time you could be eating homegrown pineapple.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

Are you starting an allotment or planning on growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs, and flowers in a kitchen garden? If so we highly recommend the book Allotment Month By Month. This does exactly what it does on the cover to help you with what you should be doing in the allotment and kitchen garden each month. Below you can see the link for Amazon where you can purchase the book directly. This book is extremely popular with all allotment holders as you will read in the reviews:-

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

How to grow Pineapple

Cultivating Tropical Bliss: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Grow Pineapple at Home

Growing your own pineapple at home is not only a rewarding gardening venture but also a delightful way to bring a taste of the tropics to your doorstep. While pineapple plants are native to warmer climates, with a bit of care and attention, you can successfully cultivate this sweet and juicy fruit in your own garden or even indoors. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the entire process—from selecting a pineapple crown to enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Selecting the Perfect Pineapple:

Start your pineapple-growing journey by choosing a healthy and ripe pineapple from your local grocery store or farmers’ market. Look for one with vibrant green leaves and a firm, unwilted crown. The crown, which is the leafy top of the pineapple, will be the starting point for your plant.

Preparing the Pineapple Crown:

Remove Excess Fruit: Gently twist off the crown from the top of the pineapple, ensuring that there are no remnants of fruit left attached.
Remove Lower Leaves: Peel away the lower leaves from the crown, exposing a few inches of stem. This will be the part you plant in the soil.

Planting the Pineapple Crown:

Let It Dry: Allow the exposed stem of the crown to dry for a day or two. This helps prevent potential rotting when planted.
Select a Well-Draining Pot: Plant the dried crown in a well-draining pot with a mix of potting soil and perlite.
Water Sparingly: Pineapples are prone to root rot, so water sparingly. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Caring for Your Pineapple Plant:

Provide Adequate Sunlight: Pineapples thrive in full sunlight. Place your potted plant in a sunny location or, if planted outdoors, choose a spot with well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight.
Watch for Pests: Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and scale insects. Insecticidal soap can help manage these nuisances.
Fertilize Regularly: Pineapple plants benefit from a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Apply it every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.

The Patience Pays Off: Pineapple Harvest:

Growing pineapples is an exercise in patience, as it typically takes 18 to 36 months for a pineapple plant to produce fruit. Here’s what to expect:

Flowering: The pineapple plant will produce a flower spike that eventually turns into the fruit.
Fruit Development: As the fruit develops, you’ll witness the transformation from a small, green pineapple to a fully ripe, golden delight.
Harvesting: When the pineapple is fully ripe, give it a gentle tug. If it comes away easily, it’s ready to harvest.

Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor:

Once harvested, your homegrown pineapple is ready to be enjoyed. Slice it up for a refreshing snack, add it to fruit salads, or blend it into tropical smoothies. The satisfaction of tasting the sweet, homegrown goodness is unmatched.

Embark on the journey of growing your own pineapple, and bring a slice of the tropics to your garden and table. With a bit of care, patience, and a love for tropical delights, you’ll soon find yourself indulging in the sweetness of your homegrown pineapple. Happy growing!

How to grow pineapple tips video

Find out how to grow pineapple with our step by step video.

Pineapple Plant Questions

1. How long does it take for a pineapple plant to produce fruit?

Answer: Pineapple plants typically take 18 to 36 months to produce fruit. Patience is key when growing pineapples.

2. Can I grow a pineapple from store-bought fruit?

Answer: Yes, you can! Select a healthy, ripe pineapple from the store, and use the crown (leafy top) to start your own pineapple plant.

3. What type of soil is best for growing pineapples?

Answer: Pineapples thrive in well-draining soil. Use a mix of potting soil and perlite for potted plants and ensure the garden soil has good drainage.

4. How much sunlight does a pineapple plant need?

Answer: Pineapples prefer full sunlight. Place your plant in a sunny location, whether indoors or outdoors, to ensure proper growth and fruit development.

5. How often should I water my pineapple plant?

Answer: Water sparingly to prevent root rot. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Adjust watering frequency based on environmental conditions.

6. What pests should I watch out for when growing pineapples?

Answer: Common pests include aphids and scale insects. Use insecticidal soap to manage these pests and keep your pineapple plant healthy.

7. Can I grow pineapples indoors?

Answer: Yes, you can. Use a well-draining pot, place it in a sunny location, and provide the right care for your indoor pineapple plant.

8. When is the best time to harvest a pineapple?

Answer: Harvest a pineapple when it is fully ripe. A gentle tug should release the fruit easily. Ripe pineapples have a sweet aroma and a golden color.

9. How do I propagate pineapple plants?

Answer: Pineapples are typically propagated from the crown (top) of a mature fruit. Remove excess fruit, let the crown dry, and then plant it in soil.

10. What kind of fertilizer should I use for my pineapple plant?
– Answer: Pineapples benefit from a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Apply it every 6-8 weeks during the growing season to support healthy growth and fruit development.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cultivating your own pineapple at home is not just a gardening endeavor; it’s a journey that leads to the sweet rewards of tropical bliss. From selecting the perfect pineapple crown to patiently nurturing it into a thriving plant and finally enjoying the golden, succulent fruit, every step is a testament to the joy of homegrown produce.

While growing pineapples may require some patience, the process is relatively straightforward and immensely satisfying. Whether you choose to plant them in your garden or nurture them in pots indoors, the key lies in providing the right conditions—adequate sunlight, well-draining soil, and a mindful approach to watering.

As your pineapple plant transforms from a humble crown into a flourishing green beauty, and eventually into a luscious, ripe fruit, the journey becomes an embodiment of the cycle of growth, patience, and the fulfillment of cultivating your own food.

So, embark on this tropical adventure, and let the aroma of sweet success fill your home. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner with a green thumb, growing pineapple is an enjoyable and rewarding experience that brings a touch of the tropics to your doorstep. Happy growing, and may your home be forever blessed with the sweetness of homegrown pineapples!

Find Pineapple Plants for sale here

Best Summer Bulbs For Beautiful Displays

November 8, 2024June 4, 2020 by Gardening With Ben

Best Summer Bulbs

Summer bulbs can make your garden look beautiful with color and scent. The best thing about summer bulbs is that they will keep on coming back year after year. Summer bulbs can pick up where your spring bulbs drop off. Spring and summer bulbs not only add color and scents to your garden but they are vital for the bees. They will attract to the flowers helping with pollination of fruit and vegetables in the garden and allotment.

Here in this article we will help you find the best bulbs for a summer display of color in your garden. As well as flowering your garden you can also grow summer bulbs for cut flowers in the house so you can enjoy the benefits indoors as well.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

Agapanthus

These are flowers that will look amazing in your borders. They produce a large flower hear of flower like the Allium. These come in a beautiful shade of blue. So varieties are hardy and some are not. Check what variety you grow. If they are not hardy you are best growing these in pots and storing in the greenhouse over winter.

Look for Agapanthus bulbs here

Allium

These are a fantastic bulb to grow for the summer to add lots of colour to your borders. The bees will love these flowers. They are extremely easy to grow. You can plant the bulbs in spring and they will flower by summer with a fantastic display. Alliums also make great cut flowers for the vase in the house. Alliums come in different shades of purple and white.

Click to Find Allium Bulbs

Begonias

These are often used when selecting your bedding plants and hanging basket plants. You are guaranteed plenty of colour and flowers from begonias. They will last until the first frost hits which will then kill them off. Begonoias are extremely easy to grow and car for through the summer months. Just make sure that they are kept watered. You can lift the tubers after the first frost and store till the next year.

Find Begonia bulbs

Calla Lilies

This lily the Calla variety requires to be grown in wet growing conditions to remain healthy. You can grow this indoors and outdoors. These will ten to flower from June to July adding beautiful flowers to your gardens and filling space nicely. If you store the plants indoors they will flower right from spring until autumn if they are kept at the right temperature.

Find Calla Lily bulbs

Cannas

These you can grow either in containers or in the ground in borders in your garden. Add some fire to your garden with these fantastic colourful flowers. They come in shades of red, orange, yellow and pink. You can even grow these indoors add add some colour to inside your house.

Find Cannas Plants and Bulbs

Cyclamen Hederifolium

These are tuberous perennials which will grow back year on year. They have a lovely pink flower – some are fragrant. It does not grow tall so is ideal for a ground covering. These have ivy shaped leaves. They will look great in the garden and bring extra colour.

Dahlias

These are one of the best flowers you can grow in your garden and allotment they will add so much colour with little work needed to get them growing well. All you have to do is keep deheading them to keep them looking there best. Store the tubers through winter then replant when the cold has passed for another year of flowering. You can certainly add plenty of colour to your borders with these.

Find Dahlia bulbs here

Day Lilies

The flowers on the day lily get it’s name from the flower only lasting one day unfortunately. They will continue to flower from may to august though so will add colour for quite a few months. You can get these in different colours. They come in yellow, red and orange. Why not add a mixture to your garden and bring some vibrant colour.

Find Day Lilies here

Dierama

This is often called Angel’s fishing rod for how it looks once it is out in bloom. The dierama is grown in sunny borders and in containers. These are semi-evergreen but you can cut away any old foliage in spring.

Find Dierama here

Eucomis

These are often called pineapple flowers for the way the flowers look with the leaves on top of the flower. They look a very hard flower to grow but they are extremely easy. You can grow these in containers, on the patio or you can even grow them indoors in the conservatory.

Find Eucomis here

Galtonia

These are often called summer hyacinth. They like to be grown in sunny positions. They are slightly fragrant and the bees will love them in your garden. They will flower in late summer in your garden.

Find Galtonia Bulbs here

Glory Lillie

This type of Lillie is a climbing variety and will grow up to 2 meters tall in height. So make sure you have a structure to fasten them to. These lilies come in a red colour petal with yellow edges.

Find Glory Lillie’s here

Gladioli

If you are choosing a bulb for colour this is one that you need to go for. You can even use gladioli flowers as cut flowers in the house. You will only get one flower per bulb but you can buy packs with lots of bulbs in. Add them to your garden border to add lots of colour to your garden.

Find Gladioli Bulbs here

Freesia

The freesia is a very popular plant for growing for cut flowers. These flowers are smell fantastic with a heavy perfume. To grow these you plant the corms outside in April and then they will flower in the late summer adding beautiful colour to your garden.

Find Freesia bulbs

Lilies

You can grow lilies for cut flowers to put in your vase or give them as gifts. Just make sure you watch out for the pollen on them as they do stain your clothes. They will certainly add a nice scent to your garden. You can get lilies in lots of different colours and varieties.

Find Lilie bulbs here

Nectaro Scordum

These are also known as Sicilian honey garlic. They are not prone to disease or pests so you are not going to have many issues with growing these in the garden. They have garlic scented leaves and a tall stem which has no leafs.

Find Nectaro Scordum seeds for sale here

Peonies

These are ideal for cut flowers with there large flowers which are sometimes double flowers. They will look nice in any flower border bringing lot of colour to it. When planting them make sure that you leave plenty of space for them to flower well. These will grow back each year in the garden just cut off the dead stems in autumn.

Find Peonies seeds for sale

These are thought to look like a shaving brush head. They are amazing to see in the garden. They have fantastic looking flower heads. They vary in colour from pink, white and red. Why not add a few of each colour to brighten up your garden. You can even cut these off and add them to your flower display. If you want you can even grow these bulb indoors and have them as a flower in your conservatory.
Find Scadoxus seeds for sale
We hope that these summer bulb flower suggestions has helped you decide which bulbs to plant in your garden for some beautiful colour.
You can find out more about cut flowers here.

How to grow runner beans for massive harvests

November 8, 2024June 2, 2020 by Gardening With Ben

How To Grow Runner Beans

About

Runner beans are fantastic to grow. You can get bountiful crops if they are grown well. You certainly will be giving them away to all your family and friends as you will have too many too keep up with. Runner bean plants are attractive with there red flowers which will keep the bees happy while they are pollinating all of them.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

When to plant Runner Beans

Here you will find the best time to sow, plant and harvest runner beans in the UK. Remember also it all depends on the weather when planting seeds. Look after your plants and you will get a long cropping period.

Sow	April to June
Plant	June to July
Harvest	July to October

Varieties of Runner Beans

There are a few recommend varieties of runner beans these are:-

Lady Di:- This is the best variety to grow if you do not want string beans. They remain stringless even when they grow big.

Achievement Merit:- These are great to grow for competitions for the longest beans. They are stringless if they are picked when young.

Enorma Elite:- This variety is a favorite of many gardeners, producing great crops. They produce a red flower.

Firestorm:- This has been bred from the genes of french beans so they crop really easy they are not dependent on bees pollinating them. The flowers are orange/red.

Polestar:- this variety of runner bean produces fantastic crops. It even produces up to the first frosts. This is a favorite of many gardeners as it is a string less bean.

Red Rum:- This variety of runner bean produces crops from early on. IT also produces lots of red flowers.

St George:- This variety of runner bean produces red and white flowers so is extremely attractive in the garden. It also produces stringless beans.

Scarlet Emperor:- This variety of runner bean is one of the oldest varieties around. However it is not stringless so this crop needs to be picked early on.

Snow Drift:- This variety of runner bean has white flowers obvious from the name. It has been bred with french bean genes so that it does not need bees to help pollinate them. The beans are straight in shape.

Snowstorm:- This runner bean has also been bred with french bean genes so that you do not need bees to help pollinate them. This is beneficial as the population of bees decreases.

White Lady:- this variety is grown all over the world just for it’s white flowers. It is a great cropper. IF you pick them when they are young they will be completly stringless.

White Apollo:- This has white flowers and produces great crops.

Wisley Magic :- This variety will produce crops all the way up to October. They are extremely good for freezing. They will also grow perfectly straight.

Find Runner Bean Seeds For Sale Here

Where to grow Runner Beans

Did you know you can grow runner beans in the ground, in pots and even in growbags! When choosing where to grow runner beans it is important to choose the best spot. The plants will love you if you plant them in a nice sunny position. Runner beans do not like frost and will kill the plants off if they are planted too early. A few weeks before you plant them in there position add some fertiliser to the ground. This will help produce bertter crops and also keep the ground more moist.

When runner beans are flowering they will like a lot of water so if you are growing them in pots or growbags be sure to water them every day.

How to sow runner bean seeds

When sowing your runner beans you can either sow them straight in the ground or in pots first then transplant them outdoors. Personally the best way is to start them in pots first as they will get them stronger. You can grow them tall then plant them outdoors. If you grow them in the ground as they are popping through the soil slugs and pigeons will eat them too pieces and are less likely to survive.

To sow runner beans in pots first plant 2-3 runner beans per plant pot and water every day to every other day if it is cooler. Place the runner beans somewhere warm and sunny to help them germinate.

Watch our video below to show you how to plant and sow runner bean seeds

How to plant Runner Beans

When you need to plant your runner beans out you need to do this carefully to get the best crop out of them. Wait until the plants have got to a good size before planting them out, this way they will withstand the pigeons eating them and slugs attacking them. You also need to wait until the frost has passed as this will kill the plants and shock them.

When planting out your runner beans you will need some canes or fencing to grow them up. Runner beans need the support to cling to, this enables them to grow upwards and not along the floor where they can get eaten.

Choose a sunny position to grow your runner beans. Runner beans need to be spaced around 20cm apart in total. Before planting out make sure the area you are growing them has been weeded. You can add some fertilizer a month before to help produce better crops. If you add compost to the ground it will help retain moisture.

The best way and the most common way to grow beans is up garden canes what have been angled against each other in two rows. This way the bean plants grow at an angle and the beans will hang down the middle making them easy to find as they do like to blend in with the leaves.

One other way other gardeners grow them is in a wig wam shape. This way you can have around 6-8 plants and they will take up less room than two rows.

Caring for the crop

Runner beans are quite easy to look after when it comes to growing your own produce. At first you will need to help them wrap around the canes to grow up them but once they get going they will grow themselves up the canes.

One of the main things you need to do is make sure the runner beans are kept weed free in the area. They do not like fighting for the nutrients and water with other plants.

When the runner beans start to flower they will need watering every day especially when the weather is dry. At night you can spray them with water as this will help with pollination of the flowers if there is not many bees around to help with this task.

When the runner beans have reached the top of the canes you can pinch the tops off so that the plant bushes out and focuses growing the produce.

Here you can watch our video on how to care for your runner bean plants

How to harvest

Harvesting your runner beans is the best part, especially having them with your Sunday dinner. Your runner beans will take around 14 weeds to be ready from planting the seeds through to the first bean being ready to harvest. Once you start picking them you will not stop – you will end up sharing them with friends and amily and even freezing them there will be that many.

It is best to pick your runner beans when they are still young, not to big or swelled as this is when they loose there flavor and become stringy.

Pests

The pests that can affect your runner beans when growing them are:-

Slugs:- The best way to protect against slugs is to try and water in the morning as the slugs do not come out in the daytime. Also put egg shells around the plants or even sand as they don’t like that.

Pigeons:- These will attack the plants when they are young and vunerable. Put plastic milk cartons round them or netting to stop the birds getting to them

Black Bean Aphids:- More commonly seen on broad beans but can be seen on runner beans. Catch them and squish them immediately. These can cause they plant to be stunted.

Diseases

There are not many diseases that affect runner beans but you could have none or not many beans. This can be down to lack of pollination. Spray the flowers at night with a fine mist of water to help with pollination. Make sure that the ground is kept moist.

Facts

Did you know that the runner bean has been grown for over 2000 years. It originally comes from Central America. Here it is actually grown as a perennial but in the UK it is grown as an annual as the autumn and winter frosts kill the plant off.

Growing Runner beans in pots and grow bags

Mentioned further up the page we said you can grow runner beans in pots and grow bags. This method is ideal for those that do not have gardens – those who just have patios and decking. This is your perfect way to attract bees to the garden.

To grow runner beans in pots and grow bags all you do is plant the runner beans round the edge of the pot or grow bag. Store it somewhere warm and sunny till they start growing. Once the seeds start germinating put your canes in the pot or in the grow bag in a wigwam shape so that the runner beans can climb up the canes. The runner beans need supporting while they grow. Runner beans cannot trail across the floor as they will get eaten by birds and slugs.

Freezing Runner Beans

When you grow runner beans you will certainly be in abundence with them and you will not know what to do with them all. Well you can actully store them by freezing them. Locking in the freshness and eating them when you are actually ready for them.

To freeze runner beans you need to blanch them first. This is done by chopping off the tough bits. Chop the runner beans bu slicing them into pieces. Cook in boiling water and leave them to cool before freezing them.

Cooking Runner Beans

To cook runner beans is an easy task. First you need to slice them into chunks – cutting off all the tough bits and the stalk. Then boil the runner beans in some salt until they are soft and tender. Then you can serve and eat.

Cooking runner beans is easy. First slice them and cut them into chucks – cutting off all the tough bits and stalk. Boil in water with some salt in until soft and tender.

Growing Questions

How tall should I let my runner beans grow?

That is totally up to you, people tend to let them grow to the top of the cane then pinch the tops off to let them bush out.

How do I start runner beans?

The best way is to start them off in plant pots 2-3 per pot. Let them grow tall before planting out.

Do Runner beans need a lot of sun?

Runner beans do like to be grown in a sunny position. Make sure you keep them watered though.

Do you need to feed runner beans?

You can feed runner beans liquid fertilizer every time you water them. But when the flowers start to form switch to tomato feed.

What month do you plant beans?

You can plant beans indoors from may but do not plant them outdoors till the last frost has been at the end of May beginning of June.

Can I feed runner beans with tomato feed?

Only feed runner beans with tomato feed once the flowers start to appear. Before this you can feed runner beans general liquid fertiliser.

Should you soak runner bean seeds before planting?

You can soak your runner beans before planting but no longer than 8 hours. I’ve never soaked my beans and they all germinate.

Do you pinch out the top of runner beans?

You can pinch your runner beans out at the top when they reach the top of there garden cane. This will encourage them to bush out.

Do slugs eat runner beans?

Yes slugs do eat runner bean plants, that is why you are best growing the plants indoors first until they are around a foot to two foot long before planting outside. Protect your plants from slugs.

When can I plant my runner beans outside?

Plant you runner beans outside in June once the last frost has been. Beans do not like the frost and will kill the plant.

Hopefully you have all the tips for growing runner beans at home or the allotment and getting a great harvest. Which variety of runner bean are you going to try? Let us know in the comments.

Click to find more vegetable information here

Best Lawn Roller For A Flat And Level Lawn

November 8, 2024June 1, 2020 by Gardening With Ben

Best lawn roller Are you looking at making a …

How to grow Swede – get a great harvest

November 8, 2024June 1, 2020 by Gardening With Ben

How To Grow Swede

About

Swedes are part of the turnip family. These can be grown to a bigger size than turnips. They come in a purple root. You can pick these as and when you require them leaving them in the ground right up until winter. Swedes are also known as Swedish turnip. Which variety of swede are you going to try an grow. Find out how to grow turnip to get great harvests with our handy gardening tips and advice.

Allotment and Kitchen Garden Book

You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.

When to plant Swedes

Do you want to know when you can sow, plant and harvest swede. Below you will be able to get your answers of when you can do these jobs. Just remember it also depends on the weather in your area. Find out when to sow swede seeds in the UK.

Sow	May to June
Plant	Not Applicable
Harvest	September to December

Varieties of Swedes

There are a few recommend varieties of swede these are:-

Ruby:- This variety of swede is resistant to mildew. It is an elongated shape with good yellow flesh. This swede has extra sweetness/

Magres:- This swede variety has a great round shape and it usually grows to a great size. It also is resistant to mildew. The flesh is yellow with a purple skin.

Bora:- This is one of the best varieties to go for when growing swede. The shape of it is a perfect round shape. The skin is purple going cream at the base.

Wilhelmsburger:- This swede is resistant to clubroot. It is a golden flesh with a green skin.

Angela:- this swede has a fantastic flavor it is also resistant to the powdery mildew that can occur on swedes.

Marian:- this variety of swede is probably one of the best to grow as it is mildew and clubroot resistant. The swede has more of a nutty taste compared to others.

Find Swede Seeds For Sale Here

Where to grow

When deciding where to grow swede you need to find somewhere that is in full sun. Swedes are often group with cabbage and other brassica plants as they are all part of the same family so they require the same needs as one another. There fore you can prepare one bed for them all to go in.

Before planting make sure you test the pH of the soil as the swedes prefer not to be planted on acidic soil. This can cause club root on the swedes. You can help the soil by spreading lime across the soil before you sow the swede seeds. You can even add a layer of general purpose fertilizer before you plant and sow the swede. This will help get even better crops.

How to sow swede seeds

When sowing swede seeds you can either sow seeds in seed trays on a layer of compost covered by another later of compost in a greenhouse. The other option is to sow swede in a prepared bed in the garden or allotment. To do this sow the seeds thinly in 2cm deep rows. Remember to water to help get the seeds to germinate especially in warm weather.

How to plant

When the Swede have grown big enough the small plants they can be thinned out if you are growing them outdoors. The swede plants need to be around 25cm apart so they can grow bigger and they are easy to weed.

If you are growing them in seed trays wait until the swede seeds have grown in to decent sized plants. Then you can plant them outdoors in rows 25cm apart.

Caring for the crop

To look after your swede plants make sure that you keep the plants weed free. They do not like competing against other weeds for the nutrition in the soil like any other vegetable plant.

Swedes are common to get the same diesses as cabbage an turnip. Watch out for cabbage root fly and flea beetle. Cover the plants with a fine messhed netting or fleece to protect them.

Keep the plants watered every 5-10 days in dry spells to stop the roots from splitting or developing powdery mildew.

How to harvest

The swede roots can be harvested as soon as they have reached a decent size. Usually the larger the better. It usually takes around 7 months for the plants to reach harvest from germination.

You can pull swedes as and when you actually need them. There is no need to lift them all at once.

Swedes can be eaten in casseroles they can also be used mashed up with potatoes or carrots. They contain a excellent source of calcium, and magnesium.

Pests

Swedes are common to a few pests. You can do your bit by preventing these pests from attacking your swede. These are what can attack your swedes:-

Cabbage Root Fly:- These are a small larvae that live in the soil and feed on the roots of swedes and all brassica plants. Protect these plants by using fleece over the top of them or fine net curtains are ideal.

Flea Beetle:- As per the above for cabbage root fly use the same method an cover with a fine netting or fleece to protect your swedes.

Diseases

Swedes are prone to diseases like the rest of it’s brassica family. The diseases you need to keep your eye out for are:-

Club Root:- this is when the roots become swollen. You will notice that the leaves on the swede go pale and yellow. Some of the plants will also die. To help you can add more lime to the soil to improve it. If you know that the soil is affected do not grow in that soil.

Powdery Mildew:- this is when you will notice a white powder over the leaves. The plants will start to shrivel. To prevent this you need to keep the ground moist and try to grow them in a cooler location.

Facts

The vegetable the swede is thought to have been brought over to Britain around the 1800’s. The King of Sweden Gustav sent swede seeds as a gift to Patrick Miller of Dumfries an Galloway. This is where the name Swede came from.

In the USA the swede is called a rutabaga which Swedish rotabagge meaning thick root.

While it is generally known as ‘swede’ or ‘Swedish turnip’, in the USA it is called ‘rutabaga’, which derives from the Swedish ‘rotabagge’ meaning ‘thick root’. It is also known as the Swedish Turnip.

Growing Questions

How long does it take to grow Swede?

It takes around 6-7 months for swedes to grow but you can pick them when you think they are big enough. The bigger the better.

Can you plant a sprouting Swede?

You cannot grow a swede from a sprouting swede. They need to be grown from seed. You can however plant the swede and eat the leaves it grows.

Do you keep Swede in the fridge?

Do not store the swedes in the fridge. They are better stored in a dry cool place or even in sand.

Can you eat green part of Swede?

Do not eat the green part of the swede as it is poisonous.

How do you know when Swede is ready to harvest?

The swede will be ready when it has reached a decent size usually 6-7 months after planting the seed.

How long do Swede seeds take to germinate?

Swedes are fast to germinate. You should be seeing seedlings appear in 7 days.

How far apart do you plant Swede?

You need to plant swede around 25cm apart this is so that they can grow big and also make it easier to keep weed free round the plants.

Do you peel Swede before boiling?

You do not need to peel swede if they are young and fresh plants, however if the swede is old and tough you will need to peel it first.

What can I plant with Swede?

Swede is part of the brassica family so you can plant you cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower near them

How long will Swede last in the fridge?

Do not store you swede in a fridge. Store them somewhere cool and dry. You can even store them in sand

Can Swede seedlings be transplanted?

Yes Swede can be started in seed trays then transplanted in to the ground when they are big enough and the weather has improved.

Are swedes and turnips the same?

No they are different. Swedes a larger than turnips, they are usually purple with a golden flesh where as turnips are white and small.

What do Swede seedlings look like?

Swede seeds are like other brassica seeds. These are usually a small round ball. They are just about big enough to handle.

Hopefully you have all the tips for growing swedes at home or the allotment and getting a great harvest. Which variety of swede are you going to try? Let us know in the comments.

Click to find more vegetable information here

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11 Reasons Gardening Is Good For You

Gardening has always been a popular hobby and having an allotment but since lockdown with Coronavirus more and more people are turning there hands to learning how to grow there own vegetables and fruit. Learning how to grow your own vegetables especially with your children and grandchildren is a great bonding experience. Here you will find 11 Reasons Gardening Is Good For You

There is nothing better than tasting your homegrown fruit and vegetables. The freshness of the produce is so much better than when you purchase them from the supermarket. You know exactly what has gone into growing the produce, the chemicals that have not been used when growing your own produce which many supermarkets will use to make the produce last much longer. You will be able to pick the produce as and when you require for your meals.

As well as having tasty fruit and vegetables and the smell of beautiful flowers, one question a lot of people ask is gardening good for you? That is a great question because did you know there are many known facts from research that gardening is extremely good for you. Did you know you can burn as many calories weeding and digging as you would going for a walk. You can burn up to at least 400 calories weeding and planting. If you wear a Fitbit or a health tracker you will notice the steps going up fast when digging.

Here are some of the main benefits to gardening and how it can help with mental health and fitness.

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1. Great Exercise – Burns Calories

If you are not one that fancies going to the gym and getting a workout, why not head into the garden. One hour of gardening and you could burn up to 400 calories. This means that if you spend 3 to 4 hours working in the garden you could burn the same amount as spending an hour in the gym. Plus working in the garden can be less intensive as doing a full body workout. It is less strenuous plus you are out in the fresh air and in the sunshine, obviously you will not be out in the rain but choosing good days to spend outside will do you the world of good.

If you are wanting to burn the 400 calories this could be just down to general maintenance tasks which include weeding, mowing and planting plants. Ideally spending an hour in the garden every other day is a fantastic alternative to going to the gym.

To burn 400 calories in the garden this can be down to just general tasks including weeding, mowing, planing plants. Ideally spending an hour in the garden doing odd jobs would be a perfect alternative to going to the gym.

2. Great source of Vitamin D

Getting yourself outside in the garden means that you are also outside in the sunshine. With being out in the sun that means you are absorbing the vital vitamin D. Vitamin D is an excellent resource to help build up your immune system which fights of illness and the common colds. Vitamin D gets your body to absorb Calcium this in turn helps make your bones more stronger and increase your immune system and gets it working fighting off those illnesses.

3. Growing fresh produce

When you grow your own produce it not only means that you will be picking your own delicious fruit, vegetables and herbs, but these produce will be fresh organic fruit and vegetables. You know that the produce will not have been sprayed with chemicals for the shops. Produce is often sprayed to preserve them for longer. As the produce is growing they will have also been sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals to improve growth. While you are eating the produce you will obviously be leading a more healthier lifestyle following a no label diet where nothing has been added into the product. This is a great step forward into following a more healthy lifestyle.

4. Using your senses

When you are out in the garden you will be using all your bodily senses. You will be using smell, when you smell the beautiful flowers you are growing in the garden. You will be using your taste senses when you cook and eat your delicious produce that you have spent the time and effort growing in the garden. Then finally you will use your touch senses – when you are digging in the garden you will be getting your hands mucky in the soil (unless you use gardening gloves) and you will also be touching those slimy worms lurking in the soil.

5. A chance of reducing dementia

Over the past few years there has been many studies on volunteers around the world to see if gardening can actually reduce the risk of developing dementia. There has been a study which actually found and showed that between 38-46% of those that did gardening on a regular basis had lowered the risks to developing dementia in years to come.

6. Helps Mental Health

There is more and more people suffering with mental health issues, these can be from work, family, bills plus lots more. Being on an allotment or in the garden you can switch off and not think about those issues. This is similar to entering the zone when you do yoga.

Being in the fresh air, listening to the birds singing, watching wildlife, seeing your plants flower and grow it is all good for the body, soul and the mind. Try and spend an hour out in the garden every day whether it is actually gardening or just observing the the things around you.

7. Stronger bones and muscles

By doing regular gardening you are working those muscles that you won’t use on a day to day basis walking around. The muscles will certainly get a great workout as your digging through the soil, bending down picking the weeds out and lifting those arms up to cut branches down. Gardening regularly can reduce the risk of osteoporosis by working these major muscles.

8. Enjoying the seasons

What better way to enjoy the years season by being in the garden. In the spring you can watch all the first spring bulbs popping through the ground and all the bees coming out of hibernation. Summer you can enjoy the glorious sunshine and get the Vitamin D we mentioned earlier. Autumn sit back and watch all the leaves fall from the trees – collecting them to make compost with to feed your plants and Winter seeing all the robins out and the snow make a new landscape in your garden – a perfect opportunity to get some great pictures for a gardening blog.

9. Learn to nurture

This is a great one for children. When learning to garden and grow produce you will be learning a new great skill and that is how to nurture. When growing a plant you need to learn how to look after it, how to care for it and how to nurture it. Then you will get to taste the delicious organic produce if you are growing fruit and vegetables.

10 Reduces stress

When gardening you will be reducing your stress levels, as you will be forgetting about everything while getting those hands mucky. It helps to reduce the endorphins – this helps people feel more relaxed. Gardening is also known for helping when you have depression. Being out in the fresh air and the sun shining it all helps with making you feel a lot better.

11. Make new friends

If you are thinking about starting an allotment you will also feel part of a community on the site, you will make lots of new friends on the allotment site. Get talking to your neighbors they will be only too happy to share tips and advice and they may even give you some free spare plants they have grown. You will certainly not feel alone on your allotment site.

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Allotment and Garden Tour 25th May 2020

Welcome to The Yorkshire Gardeners Allotment and Garden Weekly Tour. Here you are able to see all the progress i’ve made since the last week. Lots has been happening on my video. We have got most of our plants outside now enjoying the summer sunshine.

Have a look around my plot in this weekly allotment tour. Feel free to subscribe to my you tube channel to stay updated on all my tours and videos.

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You can check out all the allotment and kitchen garden books we recommend here.