Harvesting / Storing Swede

[Sheepish]

I've got a good crop of swede (Virtue) from my first sowing, and have been enjoying them for a couple of weeks. The larger ones are around 4 inches + in diameter, taste good but slightly woody in places.

As I understand it, for later croppings as winter approaches they can be left in the ground until wanted. Can I do the same now, or will they keep growing and turn inedible? If I do lift them now will a plastic tub filled with old compost from last years' tomato growbags be suitable to store them in? I've heard doing this with sand works.

[Alison]

Isn't it a bit early for harvesting swedes? Do you mean turnips?

Sorry to raise the old swede / turnip debate but it is relevant as I was under the impression that swedes would keep but turnips won't.

[Sheepish]

The debate's understandable, but these are genuine swedes. I planted the first row in April and they grew well. The original plan was to have three rows at monthly intervals but the space for the last row ended up going to cabbages. The May ones haven't grown as quickly so will be quite a while before they are ready for harvest.