Growing Swede

Swede, also known as Swedish Turnip or Rutabaga, is a hardy root vegetable from the brassica family that thrives in cool and damp conditions.

Often confused with turnips, the swede plant shares similarities with its counterpart in being large and round with a purplish hue. Unlike turnips, however, growing swede in the UK is ideal as they mature later in the season and can withstand heavy frost.

It has a sweeter flavour than turnip and can be enjoyed in soups, casseroles, mashed with carrots and more. While swede is mainly grown for the consumption of its round root, a simple stir fry makes its leaves palatable as well. If growing swede in the UK, consider varieties like Brora, Gowrie or Helenor.

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How to Grow Swede

Swede can be sown directly in the soil, or you can sow them indoors, in individual modular trays first, to avoid root disturbance. If the next question you are asking yourself is - when to plant swede? Here’s the answer:

Sowing times may vary depending on the variety, but generally, May or June is the best time to sow directly in the soil outdoors. Check your soil for acidity, as swedes do not do so well in acidic soil. Add lime to the acidic soil to avoid the formation of club roots.

Sow the swede seeds thinly, about 1-2 cm deep in the prepped soil. Once you have seedlings, thin them out until you have strong plants and position them approximately 20 cm apart.

Swedes require regular watering during dry spells, ensuring the soil is always damp to avoid a woody texture and split skins. However, it is important to note that there is no waterlogging in the soil; you can add compost to maintain the right water consistency while keeping the soil nutrient-rich. Also, keep the area weed-free to support healthy growth.

Be aware of any pests and diseases associated with brassicas, such as club root and cabbage root fly and implement the necessary precautions and treatment if need arises.

How To Harvest Swede

Growing swede requires patience as it is a long-term crop. It takes a minimum of six months to mature from the time of sowing. So, how would you know when to pick Swede? When is the right time to harvest it?

The swollen swede stem is usually ready to pick in the autumn. However, like any root vegetable, it can be left in the ground over winter until they are required. They are extremely hard and often have a preferred sweeter flavour after frosts have happened.

That said, swedes are versatile and can be harvested early in autumn when they are smaller in size (5 cm). For baby swedes, try growing them in containers rather than in the soil.

Store swede like you would any root vegetable - covered and in a cool place. If you plan to store your swede, make sure you harvest it when it’s dry and also get rid of any leaves or root hairs to prevent rotting.

Try our Root Mash recipe!

Growing Swede at the Allotment

Growing Swede at the Allotment

Growing Swede in Summary

Sowing Swede

Harvesting Swede