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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Crystalmoon on May 23, 2011, 20:34:58

Title: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: Crystalmoon on May 23, 2011, 20:34:58
Hi everyone Im going to grow some swedes for the first time this year has anyone got any tips on how best to get good results? Thanks
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: green lily on May 23, 2011, 20:39:46
1.Good soil.
2. keep watered
3 Thin
4Watch and deal with flea beetle.
5 enjoy :)
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: Crystalmoon on May 23, 2011, 20:48:15
Thanks for your quick reply Lily  ;D excellent i will sow some tomorrow then
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: pigeonseed on May 23, 2011, 21:10:48
Yes to the watering tip especially. I never grow it, but my neighbours do, and they have trouble with the surface of the soil drying out at the plot, resulting in no swedes or turnips. This year, they've started them off in toilet roll tubes, so they can water them regularly at home before transplanting once large enough to cope.
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: PeterVV on May 24, 2011, 18:52:09
I have started some in modules , will plant up when big enough ( and space available!)
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: lewic on May 24, 2011, 19:03:37
My plot-mate did swedes last year and just raked over the soil to a fine tilth (far more patience than me!) and sowed straight in the ground, thinning them out as they grew. She covered them with fleece to keep the sun off until they were a couple of inches high, watered regularly, then netted them to keep off the pigeons which are a problem on our site. Despite being infested with whitefly they did really well.
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: Alex133 on May 25, 2011, 06:39:23
This is third year trying to grow after 2 total failures - last year flea beetles destroyed seedlings even though under fleece. Have put under superfine environmesh this year and seedlings coming up ok (at the moment).
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: shirlton on May 25, 2011, 08:42:09
Its the first year for us growing turnips and swede. I don't like to eat either of them on their own but we do like them in soups and stews.
Flea beetle are at my leaves but I dont think that they ruin the plant do they?
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: pumkinlover on May 25, 2011, 10:32:00
Flea beetle will kill small seedlings and set back middle size ones in my experience.
I have used Derris powder with success in the past no longer available though.

Have you tried turnip and carrot mash Shirl? we love it and it helps "stretch" the carrots to last longer!
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: two sheds on May 25, 2011, 11:30:17
i do station sowing with swedes ie a bunch of seeds at the recommended gaps, and then it makes it easier to identify them (amongst the weeds!) and thin...was advised to do this and have done it since...flea beetle is a pain, just keep them well watered, this helps
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: davyw1 on May 25, 2011, 15:27:28
Its the farmers method for me hoed up mound and Swede or turnip along the top.
Flea Beetle you could always try a very light dusting of ant powder on the leaves. Other than that water every day to promote quicker growth

(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r111/stumpinsci/Picture288.jpg)
Title: Re: growing Swede for the first time any tips ?
Post by: shirlton on May 25, 2011, 18:53:43
Will try the ant powder.Will also try the carrot and turnip mash .P.L.
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