[Anne]

 I received a packet of free swede seeds on this week's Garden News.

Is it too late to sow them? I have room - do they need anything special in the way of feeding and watering?

I love swedes mashed, mixed with breadcrumbs, butter, and egg, and baked in the oven.

[Azazello]

It's about the right time for them.

I think you need to be reasonably careful to keep moisture levels fairly constant otherwise the roots are liable to burst, apparently.

I'll be putting mine in soon over the next week or so - I've not tried them before so will be fun. My neighbour's swedes last year looked very good.

I like then mashed with carrots and covered in gravy.

[Ice]

It's not too late to sow them.  What does it say on the packet?

[Anne]

It says up to the end of June, with maturity in 26-32 weeks. I didn't want to tie up a bit of the plot with a long-term crop if they weren't going to have time to grow. For some reason I thought swedes needed a long growing season. Water isn't a problem - the tap is right at the end of the plot.

It's a new half-plot to us (I share it with my nephew) and at Christmas, the occupier of the other half will be giving it up because he isn't well. We took on the first half on the understanding that we would take on the second half when the gentleman gives it up.

He has a few bits planted: some spuds, broad beans, onions and runners, but has barely used his half. One half of his half - if you follow - is completely overgrown. The main problem seems to be couch grass and teasels.

The other plot-holders says that his heart has gone out of it and it seems such a shame.

 I will try the carrot and swede recipe - it sounds lovely. I do so love eating -specially vegetables!


Anne

[Azazello]

Add a nice bit of butter and some pepper too!

There's nothing like your own home-grown veggies!

[viettaclark]

I'm just about to sow some myself but it IS a long growing time!
If you think about it 26 - 32 weeks is 6 - 8 MONTHS which means swede won't be ready until December - February but probably later because of slow growth over winter.

[DD.]

I make it November, actually!

Thats to maturity, unless you've got soil riddled with club root like mine, you'll have useable roots before that.

Compared to say parsnips & even leeks, 26 weeks is not a long time.

[totalnovice]

Give them a go - home grown swede are one of those veg where you can really tell the difference from shop bought. Very good with some apple sauce mixed through! or gratted along with carrot and used as an alternative topping on shephers/cottage/fish pie!