Growing Swede and Turnips in August for Autumn and Winter Roots
Swede (rutabaga) and turnips are classic, easy-to-grow root crops that thrive with a late summer sowing. August is the ideal time to get them in the ground—these resilient roots will fill your pantry with earthy sweetness from autumn right through winter. Here’s how to make sure your swede and turnips deliver the goods!
Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
🌱 Compost & Soil Improvers
Give your garden beds a boost before winter with compost and organic matter.
Shop Compost & Soil Improvers
🌿 Autumn Plant Feed & Fertiliser
Prepare your soil for autumn planting with suitable fertilisers and soil nutrients.
Browse Garden Fertilisers
🥬 Seed Trays & Propagation Kits
Keep growing through autumn by starting suitable hardy crops under cover.
Shop Seed Trays
Why Sow Swede and Turnips in August?
- Quick Maturity: Fast-growing, with some turnips ready in as little as 6–8 weeks.
- Cold Hardy: Swede and turnip roots can be left in the ground and harvested as needed—even after frosts.
- Multi-purpose: Both crops provide tasty roots and tender leaves for soups, mash, roasting, or stir-frying.
- Fills Gaps: Plant after early potatoes, onions, or peas to keep your beds productive.
Best Varieties for August Sowing
Swede:
- ‘Invitation’
- ‘Best of All’
- ‘Brora’
- ‘Helenor’ (very reliable)
Turnip:
- ‘Tokyo Cross’ (quick, small, delicious)
- ‘Purple Top Milan’
- ‘Snowball’
- ‘Golden Ball’
How to Sow Swede and Turnip in August
- Prepare the Soil:
- Clear weeds.
- Add compost or well-rotted manure (avoid very fresh manure).
- Rake bed to a fine texture.
- Sow Direct:
- Draw shallow drills (~1.5cm deep) spaced 25–30cm apart.
- Sow seeds thinly and cover lightly with soil.
- Water well.
- Thin Seedlings:
- When plants reach 5–7cm tall, thin to 10–15cm apart for turnips, 20–25cm for swede.
- Use pulled thinnings as baby salad greens or stir-fry.
- Water and Mulch:
- Keep soil consistently moist, especially in dry spells.
- Mulch to keep weeds down and conserve water.
Ongoing Care
- Weed as Needed: Roots struggle if crowded.
- Protect Young Plants: Netting can stop flea beetles and pigeons nibbling.
- Feed: A sprinkle of high-potash fertilizer after thinning will encourage root swelling.
Harvesting
- Turnips: Harvest small (golf-ball size) for best flavor, or leave to mature for bigger roots.
- Swede: Ready from late autumn—lift as needed, or leave in the ground and mulch for winter storage.
- Leaves: Both can be picked young for greens—treat like chard or spinach.
Kitchen Ideas
- Roast, mash, or cube in hearty stews.
- Grate raw for crunchy salads.
- Tops make nutritious greens in soups or bubble & squeak.
Swede and turnips sown in August are low-effort, high-reward crops that keep you well-fed when other veg are winding down. Don’t miss your window—get those seeds in for a sweet, robust winter harvest.