How To Grow Swedes

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How to Grow Swedes

This is how I grow swedes on my allotment. I make no claims that is the best method or that it will produce the largest crops, but it has worked well for me. Note that the photographs show a variety of different crops to illustrate the specific steps.

Sowing

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Sow

Plant Out

Harvest

Click thumbnails for larger images

Step 1

Pass fresh multipurpose compost through a fine riddle to remove any lumps - I use this cheap plastic crate.

Step 2

Fill a half-tray with finely sieved compost and firm it down using a Compost Press.

Step 3

Make a series of holes using a Sowing Template. Sow one seed per hole, and pinch the compost closed around the seed.

Step 4

Gently spray with water so as not to wash the seeds around - I use an old shower cleaner bottle. Add a propagator cover if required.

Step 5

Set the tray in a warm, sunny place - a south-facing windowsill is ideal. The seeds should germinate in 2-3 weeks.

Potting On

Step 1

Sieve more fresh multipurpose compost, and part-fill one pot for each seedling.

Step 2

Carefully remove each seedling from the tray. I have found a couple of plastic forks to be perfect for this job

Step 3

Set the seedling in the pot and fill around the root-ball with more compost. If the seedlings are a little leggy, you can plant them deeper in the pot, and cover the stem with more compost.

Step 4

Water

Step 5

Set the tray in a warm, sunny place

Planting Out

Step 1 Set out a straight line where you want the plants using a piece of wood or a string-line.		Step 2 Using a bulb-planter, create a suitable hole for each plant. Add a small amount of fertiliser to the bottom of the hole and mix it into the soil. Swedes should be spaced at least 15cm apart. See your seed packet for more details.		Step 3 Remove each plant from its pot, place it into the hole so the top of the compost is level with the soil. If the seedlings are leggy, you can bury the stem up to a couple of cm below the the lowest leaves. Fill around the plant with soil and firm in.
Step 4 Continue the process until you have completed the row.		Step 5 Brassicas are very prone to damage, both from butterfly caterpillars and birds. You will almost certainly need to cover them in fine mesh if you want to end up with anything for yourself. How to make hinged cloches		Step 6 Water the plants thoroughly to ensure there are no air pockets in the soil.

Maintenance

Step 1 Water in dry weather.		Step 2 Keep the area free of weeds to eliminate any competition for water and nutrients.		Step 3 Check regularly for signs of pests and disease, and take appropriate action.
Step 4 Remove any damaged or diseased leaves.

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