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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: earlypea on June 10, 2010, 11:12:22

Title: How do you fit black radish and swedes into rotation?
Post by: earlypea on June 10, 2010, 11:12:22
I'd like to grow some black spanish radishes and swedes, both of which I understand can be sown in July, but not sure how to fit them in.

Last year I tried the black spanish, but they failed quite dismally alongside sprouts which were already quite advanced by then.

I'm guessing neither crop likes root competition, much like carrots or beetroot.  So, how do you fit them in?  Do you need a dedicated brassica root bed or can they be grown alongside other leafy brassicas and if so how?

Thanks
Title: Re: How do you fit black radish and swedes into rotation?
Post by: Stevens706 on June 10, 2010, 12:57:15
I always grow my swede next to the pasnips as they stay in the ground the same amount of time. I always try to keep the overwintering veg together to make it easy to prepare the rest on the plot.
Title: Re: How do you fit black radish and swedes into rotation?
Post by: Tee Gee on June 10, 2010, 13:48:15
They are both 'brassicas' so fit them in with your brassica rotation programme.
Title: Re: How do you fit black radish and swedes into rotation?
Post by: kt. on June 11, 2010, 02:55:08
Quote from: Tee Gee on June 10, 2010, 13:48:15
They are both 'brassicas' so fit them in with your brassica rotation programme.

I used to think so too until I purchased the RHS Gardening encyclopedia last month.  For crop rotation - It has swede in the same group as spuds.   ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: How do you fit black radish and swedes into rotation?
Post by: earlypea on June 11, 2010, 07:20:20
I know they're brassicas which is why I tried them alongside my sprouts last time.  They didn't grow.

Do they need to be alone (like carrots) without competition from other roots?

Thanks Stevens, it's an idea - but I do prefer to rotate if they are prone to the same pests as other brassicas, but I'm not sure now ktlawson's posted that......something to look into.