Omari Gates
Swedes, also known as neeps, rutabagas, or Russian, Swedish or yellow turnips, are hardy root vegetables with a sweet, nutty flavour and creamy, yellow flesh. They are usually sown outdoors in late spring or early summer and are ready to harvest in autumn and winter. To grow swedes in Australia, you will need to prepare the soil by weeding, removing any large stones, and levelling the surface. The soil should be moist, fertile, and well-drained, with a pH level suitable for swedes. Seeds should be sown directly into rows, about 5cm apart, and covered lightly with a seed-raising mix. Water the seeds regularly, and once seedlings emerge, thin them out to about 10-20cm apart. Protect your swedes from pests such as the cabbage moth and cabbage white butterfly, and water them regularly, especially during dry periods. With the right care, you can enjoy your own delicious and nutritious swedes in about 80-100 days or once they are large enough to harvest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sowing time | Late spring to early summer |
| Sunlight | Full sun or part shade with at least 3 hours of full sun each day |
| Soil | Well-drained, moist, fertile, and enriched with organic matter |
| Soil pH | Sweeten acidic soil with Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite or lime |
| Transplanting seedlings | When they are 5-10 cm tall and have their first true leaves |
| Spacing | 10-20 cm between plants and 30-50 cm between rows |
| Watering | Regularly, especially during dry periods and warmer weather |
| Fertiliser | Low nitrogen and high phosphorus, such as blood and bone |
| Harvest time | 80-100 days after sowing, from October onwards |
| Pests | Cabbage moth, cabbage white butterfly, and their caterpillars |
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What You'll Learn
Soil preparation: Loose, well-drained soil with organic matter
Swedes, also known as rutabaga, are hardy root vegetables that are closely related to turnips. They are usually sown outdoors in late spring or early summer and are harvested in autumn and winter.
Swedes grow best in an open, sunny site with moist, free-draining, fertile soil. To prepare the soil, start by weeding thoroughly and removing any large stones. Next, dig the soil over to at least a spade's depth to loosen it and improve drainage. If your soil is on the heavier side, you can add organic matter to lighten it and ensure the swede roots can grow freely. Aged animal manure or compost are excellent additions to the soil, providing nutrients for the plants. After digging in these amendments, use your hands or a small shovel to gently firm the soil back down, shuffling your hands or the shovel across the surface to level it.
If you practice no-dig gardening, you can prepare the soil by mulching it with organic matter before sowing directly into the mulch. This method avoids disturbing the soil structure and can be beneficial for soil health and moisture retention.
For those with acidic soil, you can apply lime to raise the pH to the swede's preferred level. A simple soil pH test will help you determine if lime is needed. Yates Hydrangea Pinking Liquid Lime & Dolomite can also be used to sweeten the soil.
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Sowing: Direct sowing in spring/summer or start indoors
Swedes are usually sown outdoors in late spring or early summer. They can also be started off indoors and then transplanted outside after a few weeks. To sow outdoors, choose a sunny spot with well-drained, fertile soil. Prepare the soil by weeding and raking, removing any large stones, and treading over the soil to firm it. Use a trowel or your finger to create a drill for sowing the seeds into, about 5cm apart. After sowing, cover the seeds lightly with soil and water well.
When seedlings emerge, thin them out to about 10cm apart, leaving the strongest seedlings in place. You can add the removed seedlings to your compost heap or wash and add them to salads. Swedes are slow-growing and can take up to six months to mature, so be sure to keep the soil moist and provide plenty of water, especially during warmer weather, to avoid the vegetable drying out.
If you choose to start your swedes indoors, fill a tray or pot with good-quality peat-free multi-purpose compost, leaving a small gap at the top. Sow the seeds thinly onto the compost and cover with more compost. Place the trays or pots in a sink of water or outside on the ground and water from above with a watering can. Start by watering the ground next to the pot or tray to avoid disturbing the seeds. Transplant the seedlings to the garden once they are about 5-10cm tall and have their first true leaves. Space the plants 10-20cm apart, with rows 30-50cm apart.
Swedes are susceptible to pests and diseases, so it is important to take preventative measures. Use netting or decoys to keep away cabbage moths and cabbage white butterflies, which lay their eggs on the underside of leaves. Pick off any caterpillars that appear or use an appropriate spray. To prevent boron deficiency, which causes yellow leaf tips and discoloured stems, dissolve 1 tablespoon of household boron in 5 litres of water and apply when seedlings are 5-10cm tall.
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Spacing: Thin seedlings to 10-20 cm apart
Once your swede seedlings have their first true leaves and are about 5-10 cm tall, it's time to transplant them to your garden. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-drained, fertile soil. Make sure the soil is moist, and enrich it with organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or a general fertiliser.
When transplanting, space the seedlings about 10-20 cm apart, with rows 30-50 cm apart. This spacing is important to allow the plants room to grow and mature. If you're short on space, you can also plant them in large pots outdoors.
As your swedes grow, make sure they don't dry out. Water them regularly, especially during dry periods. To check if your swedes need water, scratch away a bit of soil about 5 cm below the surface. If it's dry, it's time to water. Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
With the right care and spacing, your swedes will be ready to harvest in approximately 80-100 days.
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Watering: Regular, deep watering, testing soil dryness
Watering your swedes regularly is crucial to their growth. They should be watered often, especially during warm and dry weather, to prevent them from drying out.
Before sowing your swede seeds, water the ground or the drill gently. If you are planting your swedes in pots, place the pots in a sink of water or on the ground and water them from above with a watering can. Ensure that the water is softened by using an upturned fine rose attachment on your watering can. Start by watering the ground next to the pot or tray to avoid disturbing the seeds.
Once your swede plants are established, water them regularly and deeply, especially during the growing season. Water in the early morning or late afternoon, and check that the soil is dry about 5 cm below the surface before watering. You can do this by scratching away a little soil with your finger. Avoid watering the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
Swedes are hardy root vegetables that grow best in moist but free-draining, fertile soil. They prefer an open, sunny site with well-drained soil. Prepare your soil by adding organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure a few months before planting. You can also add Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser to enrich the soil.
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Harvesting: Ready in 80-160 days, harvest as needed
Harvesting swedes is a straightforward process. You'll know they're ready when their roots are large enough to eat, usually around 80-160 days after planting. The first step is to check that the swedes are large enough to harvest. This can be done by gently digging around the plant to expose the root. If the root looks big enough to eat, it can be carefully pulled from the ground. If it still looks too small, cover the root back up with soil and leave it to grow for a little longer.
Once harvested, swedes can be stored for several months if kept in a cool, dark place. They can be eaten raw or cooked and are a good source of vitamin C and potassium. They have a sweet, nutty flavour and creamy, yellow flesh when cooked.
To ensure the best flavour, it's important to prepare the soil before planting. This includes weeding, removing any large stones, and adding organic matter such as aged animal manure or compost to create loose, well-drained soil. It's also crucial to keep the plants well-watered, especially during the growing season and in warmer weather, to prevent them from drying out.
Swedes are typically harvested in autumn and winter, providing a hearty and nutritious option for winter meals. They can be cooked in various ways, including mashed, roasted, baked, steamed, boiled, or even raw in salads.
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Frequently asked questions
Sow your seeds outdoors in late spring or early summer. The soil should be warm to help the seeds germinate.
Swedes grow best in an open, sunny site with moist but free-draining, fertile soil. Prepare the soil by weeding and raking, removing any large stones, and treading over the soil to firm it. Add compost, well-rotted manure, or a general fertiliser a few months before sowing.
Water your swedes often, especially during warm and dry weather to avoid the vegetable drying out. Water when the soil is dry about 5 cm below the surface. Water deeply in the early morning or late afternoon, avoiding the leaves to prevent fungal diseases.
