[theothermarg]

strange thing is that my lotty neighbours swede had been attacked while mine seems untouched!  the only reason I can come up with is that I netted mine in the early stage to keep the flea beetle off it. perhaps like beetle the birds prefer the younger leaves.  I find I have to net carrots until they are app 6" or the rabbit/mice? just leave the stalks
marg

[Beetroot queen]

I never get to a stage where the birds have a chance, that will all change this year with my super swedes i am growing. 

[domw001]

What a difference a week makes.

Last weekend 2 rows of baby swede niceley growing

Yesterday  . . . skeletons 

I have sown a couple more rows and netted the victims?

Question: Will they recover? Send up new leaves?

[mumofstig]

If the growing point is still there they should recover.

[Jackypam]

Me too!  Yesterday swede perfect, me reading this strand, feeling smug- tonight after work, half a row destroyed and the rest pecked.  Me feeling not so smug!  All now netted, with sticks, plant pots and net.

[RJR_38]

I am feeling better that I am not the only one who has been caught unawares! I have no idea
If the growing point has been pecked out - will have to see what happens I guess!

[domw001]

It seems I have been lucky, the growing tips were not affected and the new growth is going well.  Time will tell if i get a decent crop.

A question for all those experienced swede-growers out there . . . watering?
It seems to be the common practice of NOT watering carrots and parsnips, I assume this is to force them to grow down in search of water, but is this practice done with swedes as well (and beetroot I suppose)

[DD.]

Swede need water.

They are not actually a root crop. The bit that is eaten is in fact a swollen stem.

[domw001]

Thanks DD

[Tea Break]

As DD  said swedes are loved by the pigion and also the cabbage white so have a look for the dreded catapiller. they stripped mine last year so this year there under cover for some protection.
Swedes and beetroot love water, thats why they did so well last year.

Mike.

[solway cropper]

I start mine off in cell trays and plant them out at the required spacing with a good root ball. That gives them a fighting chance against predators.

[DD.]

In an effort to get one half decent swede this year, I've grown them on in 3" post before planting out!

[willp]

the only reason I can come up with is that I netted mine in the early stage to keep the flea beetle off it. perhaps like beetle the birds prefer the younger leaves.

This has been my experience - I suffer badly with flea beetle and fleece any swedes, turnips, radishes etc until they are a reasonable size.

The pigeons seem to leave them alone however.

Will

[New shoot]

In an effort to get one half decent swede this year, I've grown them on in 3" post before planting out!

You must be serious this year if you have been driven to faffing      I did the same.  Between us, we must get one decent swede .........   

Mine are under a net tunnel as the pigeons on our site decimate them otherwise.  Looking promising so far 

[DD.]

Mine are netted also, they're growing alongside some caulis.

Leaves look good, that's all I can say!