Have you grown swede?

[splatcat]

Swede is so easy in Glasgow where it is quite wet! So useful as a Winter crop along with haggis of course! Marian is good with quite a sweet taste.

is it true that haggis grows wild up there in the forests? I sent my friend on a mission to catch me one last year but he came back and told me he couldnt find any, despite us giving him a good description!


I havent tried swede before but its in my seed pile for this year.

[arpoet]

is it true that haggis grows wild up there in the forests? I sent my friend on a mission to catch me one last year but he came back and told me he couldnt find any, despite us giving him a good description!


I havent tried swede before but its in my seed pile for this year.

ahhh well, if you sent him out in the closed season then what do you expect.

[splatcat]

ahhh well, if you sent him out in the closed season then what do you expect.

Darn! thats why!!

I was soo looking forward to having a lovery little furry critter as a pet, I believe they have very sharp teeth though!

[cazsudz]

I grew swede last year . They grew fine but were very bitter compared to shop bought ones. Why do you think this was?

[duggie]

I've tried growing swede for the last 2 years but they've not been very successful. Both times they remained rather small and were badly slug damaged. Not sure if I'll try again which would be a shame as we love swede.

[Comfreyfan]

I've tried growing swedes a few times, without any success at all. They're cheap and tasty from the farm shop, so I use the space for other stuff now.

My uncle (my gardening guru) always said they were sweeter after they'd been frosted in the ground - I think it's actually true, something to do with the frost breaking down the cells and releasing the sugars - not a very scientific explanation but all I can remember!

[vegnut]

I grew swede last year . They grew fine but were very bitter compared to shop bought ones. Why do you think this was?

With what iv'e been told, and don't quote me on this If they don't get enough water during the growing season they can become bitter. If this is not correct, then another grape with better knowledge will undoubtedly correct me .
Only passing it on so to speak.
I haven't actually grown swede yet, but they were on my shopping list for this year, so thanks for all the info on this thread.

[Snadger]

When I first got my allotment I was warned that I would struggle to grow swedes as the the ground had a boron defficiency.
The guy that told me was right...........I have struggled, but have managed to grow a few.
Checked up and here's a site that shows what swede boron defficiency can do.
Color Pictures of Mineral Deficiencies in Swede Plants

Must admit that some of mine have been a bit bitter and some had the symptoms of it, but over the years with the addition of manure and Magnesium limestone (not together) I must have helped the trace element defficiency as I can now grow swedes........sometimes!