Growing Rutabaga, also Swedes

Brassica napus var.napobrassica : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
    T T T              
    P P                

(Best months for growing Rutabaga in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 45°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Chives
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

02 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I found this on the web. I also store carrots, beetroot and swedes in my ‘cushion’ boxes.  It is easy to store them and very convenient to pop outside to get something to prepare for dinner.  I lift the vegetables and twist off the tops and then put them into a wooden box on top of a layer of compost (you can use sand for this too).  I make sure the vegetables aren’t touching and then I cover them with compost.  This way they store beautifully over the winter. Done in a very cold place though.
02 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Probably best to just keep in the fridge.
23 May 17, Maureen (Australia - temperate climate)
I enjoy eating swede and have never considered it a sweet type of vegetable. I love it cooked with potato and carrot and then mashed with milk and butter. I like it simply steamed. I think it is simply personal preference.
24 May 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
I love swedes as well. We eat them as you suggested and also 'julienne' them on a V slicer and add them to creamed corn after they are cooked. Kids like them that way too.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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
20 Sep 16, paul merrett (Australia - temperate climate)
live in south australia and cannot find swede seeds anywhere. any advice. thankyou.
Showing 11 - 20 of 46 comments

Originally from Scotland 50 years ago, we always had mashed swede(neeps) with haggis and it is still one of my favorites.

- Ron

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