Your comments and tips

07 Mar 15, Sharon (Australia - temperate climate)

We planted swede seed in trays 3 weeks ago in potting mix and had 2 seeds germinate. We kept them moist and they were in dappled shade - what did we do wrong?

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19 May 15, Marina (Australia - temperate climate)

Swede are to be sown direct into the soil just like carrots. They don't like to be transplanted.

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27 Sep 14, Judith Kellett (Australia - temperate climate)

The best swedes ever are grown in Tasmania, up high at a place called Collin's Cap, but those from Collinsvale at around 400 metres elevation were pretty awesome. My kids used to beg me to cut them slices to eat raw!!! They were more bowling ball than tennis ball size: my neighbour used to give them to me in 10kg pockets that held about 7 or 8. Now in Adelaide I despair at the miserable golf balls in the shops. I firmly believe they do best in a cool to cold climate.

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12 Apr 24, Pat Fraser (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

You are quite right there Judith I worked on the farms in Scotland and you never lifted turnips till they had the frost on them, that`s what gives them the sweetness. I have no idea why they don``t leave them in the ground longer until they grow bigger as you said like a bowling ball. I have bought some seeds to try and grow them here in Melbourne but I think I have left it a bit too late this year as the cold weather is here already, but I will definitely plant them next year in time for winter.

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18 Apr 14, Lisa (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I have trouble getting swedes to grow. They are always small and stringy. My turnips and parsnips in the same bed are fine, but I also have trouble with beetroot, kohl rabi and leeks.

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01 Feb 14, Allen Lee (Australia - temperate climate)

Brassica rapa. Swede Laurentian can be obtained from "Diggers seeds" whether they have the one you are looking for by contacting them they may be able to help you. They do carry seeds from US too.

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06 Jan 14, Michael Tuma (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I am chasing seeds or plants of a swede / turnip I've been told is called Rutabaga by the Americans and here in Australia. Every listing I find here has Rutabaga as 'Brassica napus (var.) napobrassica' whereas I'm after the one the Germans call "Steckruebe". It's botanical name is Brassica napus (var.) rapifera. Can anybody help?

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12 Apr 24, Pat Fraser (Australia - temperate climate)

Bunnings have Swede seeds.

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21 Nov 13, Pete Sawyer (Australia - temperate climate)

In reply to johno..If you have huge leaf growth with either Swedes or cabbage ,caulies toms or most others it can often be because of to much nitrogen. You try to build up the soil with chemicals when a better way is organic compost.I have discovered this the hard way. Best of luck keep trying and you will get it right Regards Pete

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04 Aug 13, johno (Australia - temperate climate)

I have grown Sweds for the first time this year with not much success. Theye have grown more like a tube instead of a ball and they seem to have all the growth above the ground. The foilage on top is huge so I think the growth has gone to the top instead of under the soil. Can anyone suggest ways to improve next years crop.

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