I have just lifted last crop of swedes. 12 lifted, only two worth keeping. They have hardly grown, apart from very thick stalks. Seems like all the growth went into the stalk and not the swede. Soil is medium acid, very wet and very clay. I probably planted them midsummer from seedling raised under glass. Garden does not get much autumn and winter sunshine. ???I have a bad undersoil slug problem, but don't see how any of these things would stop swedes from bulbing out. Any ideas?
Hello gledhillbo, firstly with your swedes I do not think they like to be transplanted, sow where intended to grow in the middle of June, also l do not think that they would grow to well in soil that is constantly wet.
I too suffered a poor harvest of swedes, although mine were sown in situ, and the soils is free draining (sand). The only thing that I can think of for my situation, is that I draped them with scaffold netting as protection against pigeons, which is quite heavy and may have reduced the light levels .
The most sort after swede always used to be grown in Devon, the variety was Devon Champion (sadly not available now thanks to the EEC). This swede used to attract a premium at Covent Garden due to it’s flavour and texture.
Swedes are a type of brasica but unlike most of the cabbage family prefer a lighter soil, one reason why I wont grow them on my plot in Sussex which is heavy clay. At home in Devon dad can grow wonderful swede but he is on Heavitree sandstone based soil.
I would sow direct and make sure the pH of your soil is on the high side. Protect from flea beetle and pigeons and avoid swede if you have club root.
Good luck
Jerry
I always have a good harvest of swedes, but, this past year they have dreadful small and mishappen I did get a serious problem with pigeons the little pests stripped them of leaf and so I believe impaired their growth. I have now made a cage to cover the next crop
I have a great crop of swedes. We have lots of big swedes some were grown in situ and others transplanted. However they all taste awlful!! They are really woody, take ages to cook and a pretty horrid when it is cooked.
Any advice on what went wrong as they look so good.
The soil is chalky and there were two varieties - Best of All and Ruby. Previous years the swedes have not germinated or grown.
Help would be great if I can prevent it happening again.
Thanks
Viks
HI
I am planning on growing swede ( Swede - Invitation & Swede - Best of All ) for the first time this year.
I am struggeling to find a companion plant for it though.
Cambourne7
I put in a row at the end of sept., being cheeky and got plenty of small tender ones over Christmas... but all the problems mentioned I have had before!
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/Roots107.jpg)
Here with some Carrots and Winter Radish all sown about the same time...
;D
Small but tasty swedes this year, probably due to lack of rain
I used to grow `Marrion` with good results when I had a fairly heavy clay soil but here where it`s very light they are poor and mostly just `neck`
I grew Swedes for the first time last year: Invitation I think they were. All were started off in modules and transplanted when they looked big enough. All grew fine and tasted ok too. Will do the same this year.
I grew 'virtue' swedes last year with great success. They were sown in situ in May which apparently is wrong but it worked for me on my dark reasonably heavy moisture retentive soil.
Swedes seem to grow best 'in the field'?
This is our Market Man - he's famous for his Swedes.
Ugly suckers though Tim - the swede and celeriac, not the marketman. I was told by one of the old timers that they like to grow in company....swedes, not marketmen, so sow them in the middle of your brassica bed so they are amongst their own sort. That's what I will be trying this year as I am yet to succeed with them.
Thanks!
Hey, EJ that's a great tip re growing them in the middle of the bed, thanks ;D. We're giving them a go so can use all the help we can get! x