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.
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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.
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.
