Swedes

[Good Gourd2]

Could I sow swedes into small cardboard tubes and then just put the whole thing into the ground when they are  established. I have never been successful with swedes they always get flee beetle despite watering derris dust etc, I just thought if they got a really good start then I may get success. They are my favorites so I`d love to grow my own.

[Good Gourd2]

[telboy]

GG2,
Good thinking!
It's quite surpring that swede grows as a 'field plant' but one has trouble on the allotment.
You and me alike!
I think I will try the 'bog roll' approach this year!

[saddad]

Given the lack of success I've had with swede over the years I'm amazed they grow in fields...
???

[Doris_Pinks]

I start mine off in Jiffy 7's, (well I think they are called that!) Cover them with fleece and let em go, never had a prob with them.......now carrots, thats a whole different story! :( :( :-\

[saddad]

That's what I used to say about carrots but had a great sowing of 4 rows at the end of August... and some of the best swede at that...
;D

[Doris_Pinks]

saddad  >:( >:( >:(   on the carrot front, but I WILL NOT BE BEATEN!
just kidding, lucky you! ;D ;D

[saddad]

We still have a 1/4 of the carrots to go and they are shop bought dimensions now
we only got about a dozen runts out of six rows sowing earlier in the season... they taste so much better than the shop ones and being out of season and under fleece no carrot fly probs...
;D

[keef]

I started mine off in medium sized cells last year, and had great success. Had a complete row for the first time ever! They seemed to cope with being planted out very well, and seemed to be big enough to cope with the flea beatles (though i did still put a bit of deris down).

[manicscousers]

thanks, I think I'll try that, doris-pinks, good idea, I've got lots of jiffy's
ours will be going in the brassica bed under netting, last years were rubbish

[theothermarg]

wow that is a good idea, ithink i,ll get some started in root trainers can,t be worst than last years pathetic results :'(
marg