Your comments and tips

22 Apr 17, John (USA - Zone 6b climate)

Rutabagas can be planted now. they are a cabbage/turnip cross and will do well where cabbages do well. Old manure worked into the soil and even watering will reduce the chance of checks in their growth. Along with their common uses they are great cooked and mashed or finely diced, cooked and mixed with creamed corn.

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20 Apr 17, Allan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

The swede is bitter when it is cooked. I thought it is lacking something in the soil. What am I doing wrong.

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21 Apr 17, Jonno (Australia - temperate climate)

Swedes originated as a cross between a cabbage and a turnip. Like their half sisters; Brussels Sprouts they can be bitter. A lot of gardeners say that they are sweeter after they have had a few frosts on them. growing them with even watering and no set backs would also help. Maybe some other reader will be able to help.

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03 May 20, Paul (Australia - temperate climate)

I still eat them after a lifetime of growing and eating them . In fact my grandfather grew them commercially in the 1950s and 60s. I usually eat them mashed with potato, sometimes on their own. However I am a Masterchef-type mash person, with oodles of butter ! That often hides a little bit of bitterness . You might find your soil was too well manure or fertilized and you had heaps of green top at the expense of a well-developed root . Very cold winters also produce better swedes . Heavy frosts .

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27 Nov 16, Lorin Maskey (Australia - temperate climate)

I have grown some swedes in Dubbo good tops and no actual swede developed. what would cause that.? the soil was well fertilized with sheep manure.

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27 Nov 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)

Root crops such as swedes, carrots, etc, do not need a lot of nitrogen; which would be present in the manure. Nitrogen in root crops causes excessive top growth at the expense of the roots. After you have freshly manured your soil it is better to start off with a leaf crop such as lettuce, cabbge, etc. Follow this with a fruiting crop such as tomatoes, beans, zucchini, etc. the soil will then be ideal for root crops such as swedes, carrots, parsnip, etc. If that is the problem; all is not lost, look after them and you will get some sort of root and the tops can be used in soup or stir fries. Trust this helps

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20 Sep 16, paul merrett (Australia - temperate climate)

live in south australia and cannot find swede seeds anywhere. any advice. thankyou.

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03 Jun 16, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi i've read all over the place that you can regrow Swedes from the Top (Kitchen Scraps) i've just tried this on my laundry windowsill in water - it has started to grow long thin roots & a few (3-4) shoots off the top.. Now i'm wondering how to transplant it without causing it to rot or something?? Also Will it regrow to produce another Swede or few?? Do i separate the shoots on top or replant the top whole?? Thanks, Sam

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09 Jul 16, Pete (Australia - temperate climate)

Dig a hole about 5 cm deeper that the roots. Bed in your plant using a good potting mix. It will 'take' in about 2 weeks and start to grow. After 3 weeks fertilize with half strength liquid fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro. Don't fertilize again if your soil is good.

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27 Mar 16, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Plant your swedes From seedlings april. If leggy when germinated. Plant seedlings deeper up to first leaf join.

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