[LEW]

As a complete novice I'm having mixed results to say the least!

Carrots, runner beans, Kohl Rhabi and salads have been lovely.  The potatoes were great (just not enough) but oh! dear! - what has happened to the swede?

They are in raised beds filled with heavy garden soil topped up with John Innes (can't remember what number).  They grew fine although cabbage white have been a real problem.  I've just been out tidying up and pulling off dead leaves and a whole plant came up.  Nothing there just an inch long root.  I've been fondly imagining that I could only see the top and some lovely swedes would be forming below ground but seemingly not.  They haven't been short of water but a lot of the leaves are turning yellow, do you think it is the soil?

If I clear out the whole bed, is there anything I could plant now to overwinter or is it too late?

Thank you for your help

Lesley

[DD.]

When you find out how to grow them - let me know!

[davethespread]

When you find out how to grow them - let me know!

i grew them for the first time this year(sorry them being swedes)i sowed a line in ground prepared for brassicas coz thats what family they are from.
thinned them out as they grew to about 10" between plants to grow to maturity.apart for an attack from c/w caterpillars, which only affect the foliage,i have had some beauties.the shop bought ones cannot compare they are so tender,i will grow them under netting next year definately.

[mumofstig]

The bit you eat forms above ground really...the stem just fattens up.
When did you plant them, to be expecting to see 'swede' aready?
Just wondering as mine are only small leafy plants still

[davethespread]

The bit you eat forms above ground really...the stem just fattens up.
When did you plant them, to be expecting to see 'swede' aready?
Just wondering as mine are only small leafy plants still

hi there i sowed them at the last week may-first week of june they are the size of a grapefruit now.it is my first year with an allotment,maybe its begginers luck.i suppose that makes up for losing my leeks to onion fly.lol

[Kristen]

Sowed mine 01Apr, planted out 17May, first harvest was August Bank Holiday.  Nice size by then.

But I prefer them as a Winter veg, so I'll sow them later next year.

[NASH]

I sowed mine direct into 2" peat pots in April, then when big enough at 4" moved them into their final positions ( still in the peat pots ) into well rotted farmyard manure as i don't dig my soil, also added blood fish and bone, this photo was taken August 31st and its about 6 " diameter then, probably about 7" now

[Trillium]

I solved this problem by simply buying from a commercial organic grower. I let him have the headaches and I just buy them. Don't eat enough to justify the space otherwise.

[Carol]

Mine swelled up (swedes) nicely, but were riddled with slug holes.  You've done well to grow good carrots.  Like you I am a beginner (now in my second full year) - so it is trial and error.  The things which did really well last year (cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes) have been rubbish this year, but other things (sweetcorn, lettuce, peas, french beans) have done much better.  Talking to the old hands on our site, every year is completely different so don't decide you "can't" grow anything on the basis of one year.

[Christine]

Huh the brassica expert on the allotment committee who grows beautiful swedes says that they are easy to grow and hard to get to grow large.

He certainly treats them the same as cabbages. Will have to investigate exactly what he does to grow whoppers.

[kel28]

You know what next year you will have the best swede's ever lol. trust me every year it changes what did well this year will not do as well next year and what went horribly wrong this year will be exceptionally good next year. I dont know why but this is what seems to happen to me ! Mine died last year this year they are gorgeous apart from the blooming white fle invasion, my peas died, last year i had loads, my sweetcorn is doing well, last year it died , garlic was smaller than last year but my onions 10 times the size!! So good luck for next year! Never give in !

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, sweedes you either can or you can't i can't, but they don't like raised beds too dry i grow them on the flat but still don't get good sweedes, as with DD whats the secret.