Sweeds

[jollygardener70]

Planted March when can I pick and how long can they stay in the ground. And can I freeze without blanching?


Mr Jolly

[bearded bloke]

They can be overwintered in the ground but may get a bit "woody" by late winter,or you could dig up & store in a net sack when they get to the size that you prefer

[Creemteez]

Freezing without blanching is a no-no, I'm afraid.

[Alison]

Swedes are unlikely to be ready until autumn time and then stand quite well over the winter. I had some lovely ones which I had to chisel out the frozen snow last year and they only went woody when the weather warmed up. Even then it was only the outside bit which you could cut off and eat the tender heart. Never even tried to freeze as they stand so well and have never frozen andy root veggies but I know people freeze carrots and apparently that works OK. Actually now I come to think of it, I once froze some turnips and they were a bit rubbish when I used them. Give it a try if you want, I never blanche anything so I wouldn't bother with that either.

[Florence Fennel]

I know we've been talking about not blanching, but I really would blanch swede if you're freezing it. Why not try to store as BB suggested?

[Aberdeenplotter]

swedes actually improve with frost so leave them in the ground and just use them as you need them.

[mrbadexample]

I never blanche swede before freezing, and it's always fine.

I pulled my first swede this year yesterday. Lots of cabbage root maggots (I think), so had to cut a fair bit away before I could use it. I guess that means lift & eat rather than leave in the ground until I need one.

[Snadger]

I usually leave my swedes in the soil and pull them as required. Last year though the weather was so severe that they all succumbed!

[vegnut]

It's my first year for swedes and thy are looking a bit small at the moment, still plenty of time to swell up.
I'm gonna follow the book and it says leave them in the ground and pull when needed.

[Nik]

I picked my first ever swede this week! It was a beauty - possibly would have grown a bit bigger but I just couldn't resist.

[Alison]

Are we all talking about the same thing here ie swedes, the winter vegetable as oppose to turnips which are more of a summer thing? I only ask as I know that in some areas of the country people call them different things and it may be causing confusion. If the OP is referring to the summer vegetable then they won't stand and the advice is incorrect.

[Florence Fennel]

Oh No! The Swede/Turnip thing again Alison can I see you grinning?

[Nik]

I know on the Isle of Man they switch the names and in Scotland a swede is a neep - but i have never encountered any confusion anywhere else.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I know on the Isle of Man they switch the names and in Scotland a swede is a neep - but i have never encountered any confusion anywhere else.

A swede may be a neep but so also are kitchen neeps and small ones are neepies.

[bearded bloke]

Is not Swede the truncated word for Swedish Turnip ?

Easy enough to sort if OP adds a piccy