[Eblana]

I had swedes sown in modules but they got fried in the greenhouse last week.  I am going to see can I get some plants in the garden centre in the morning but if I can't is it too late to try again, if not should I sow direct or go for module sowing again?

[Goosegirl]

I think swedes need a long growing period but if you can't get any plantlets give it a go - there's nothing lost but you might only get small ones. Would turnips be a better option?

[DD.]

Swedes don't actually need a long growing period, they are usualy sown late in the year - up to June in most cases, so you would not be that late.

You have little to lose in trying. Try module sowing, with as little root disturbance as possible, you'd probably bring them on a little faster than in open ground.

[moose]

I'm sitting looking at a packet of swede seeds "Invitation F1" club root resistant, sow June to early July. I would follow DD's advice and sow in modules and if you have one use a cold frame that can be left open rather than risk them in the greenhouse. I usually wait until around midsummer's day to sow mine depending on weather conditions.

[New shoot]

I think you will be lucky to find garden centre plantlets, as most places run down the veg stocks after the end of May.  If you do find them, check the quality carefully, as they might be old stock and very pot bound.

Mine were only sown in modules on 7th June and went out onto the plot very recently.  They germinated and lived outside in the open fronted seedling cloche happily enough, so I also would go with DD's suggestion of trying a few seeds. 

You can get them up to planting out size in no time and if you keep them well fed and watered on the plot, they will grow fast enough to give you a decent crop

[Goosegirl]

Swedes don't actually need a long growing period, they are usualy sown late in the year - up to June in most cases, so you would not be that late.

Sorry DD - thought they had.

[Aunt Sally]

Swedes don't actually need a long growing period, they are usualy sown late in the year - up to June in most cases, so you would not be that late.

I've sown some this week

[ARPoet]

I have always grown swedes and turnips from direct sowings in the ground and then thin out as required. Swedes take a lot longer to swell than turnips and i have already frozen 3 lbs of turnips for winter use, and picking a few every week. My swedes will not be ready until septemeber from a May sowing.

[Eblana]

I tried around a few garden centres with absolutely no luck, so I took the advice on here and sowed some seeds in modules tonight, I prefer small swedes anyway so hopefully they will come through.  Thanks for the advice everyone.