How can I grow good Swedes???

[Snadger]

My family and I (sounds a bit like the Queen's speech!) eat a lot of Swede as we really enjoy it! The problem is, I always fail miseably when I try to grow it.
I just wonder if I am being too kind to it! It is a member of the brassica family so may thrive on solid planting!
I always make a nice surface tilth and the soil has an open texture, could this be where I am going wrong.?

This year I am going to leave the sowing until later on in the year as well.


Any tips from good Swede growers would be appreciated?



PS How come the farmers always manage to grow excellent Swedes with no problems?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Ask someone from Sweden?
LOL! Sorry Snadger just had to post that!
Bernie aka Dexterdog

[TEB]

Some info here http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_...y/swedes_1.asp

[snohare]

How come the farmers always manage to grow excellent Swedes with no problems?

It's 'cos they christen them all into the Lutheran Church at birth....
Seriously though, I hear it is all in the watering. If they get the wrong pattern of hydration they either don't grow, or become very woody. Maybe the farmers just water them regularly ?

[pigletwillie]

Also a lot of people sow them far too early, from May onwards is good.

[Flummery]

I got some seed this year for the first time. I usually sown the small purple top turnips but decided I'll try swede. I'm saving them until May as PW already suggested. Looking forward to something that can stand in the ground long after my tender crops have fallen by the wayside!

[wellie]

I grew Swede for the very first time last year, six of them in one of my raised beds, along with Black Tuscan Kale and Romanesco lime caulis. Apart from two 'early bolters', the other four were just great! I haven't a clue why, but I did do exactly what it said on the tin....
I planted two seeds per Jiffy 7. Pinched out the weaker one to leave the healthiest seedling. Potted them on into 3" pots to grow on a bit, which is definitely worth doing, IMHO, if you grow from home, then planted out sturdy/healthy seedlings before the roots were too congested. So no stress incurred.
I personally think the trick is to give them a really steady and consistent growth pattern and not to allow them to grow too big and woody. Harvest them young(ish) and tender, and if you're 'not ready for them' when they are at their best, then I can let you have my favourite 'doddle' recipe to preserve maximum swede flavour in a mash to put in the freezer....

[sewer rat]

Farmers do bnot water their swedes at all - put in by a precision sower and left to their own devices. However, the seed they use is treated with all manner of preservatives, fungicides, etc etc etc so not exactly organic.

[snohare]

Well, that's a mystery to pour over then, rat...