How to grow... Swede

Rocket Growing Guides

Swede is easy to grow and stores well too. It is a great veg for stews and casseroles, and you can eat the leaves too (which not many people do simply because they don’t know that they can).

  • Planting Tips
  • Growing advice
  • Chef's Corner
Choosing a site for growing veg

The right site

Swede plants like a light fertile loam but will grow in most soils.

growing veg in pots and raised beds

Can be grown in....

Raised beds are best for growing swede.

Autumn Winter Large Vegetable Garden

How far apart?

30cm apart

When your plants arrive....

Your baby plants will arrive carefully packed in straw. They may look a little tired from their travels. This is quite normal but, as soon as possible, carefully unpack them all.

Each type of plant will have an identification label to help you spot which they are. Lay them out into their respective plant types (e.g. lettuce, cauliflower, peas). Then, stand them upright, being especially careful with the ones that aren’t in bio pots. The roots may be dry, so give them all a good drink of water by submerging the roots for a few minutes in a container of clean water.

Now you are ready to plant your Rocket Garden. Try to do this within 24 hours of the arrival of your plants.

Looking after your plants....

Follow our tips below when growing swede for the best results.

Swede

Watch they don't get waterlogged

In areas of heavy rainfall plant your seedlings in ridges to help with drainage. Otherwise plant on flat ground which has been well worked and consolidated.

Swede

Water when it's dry

Water plants well after planting and during periods of dry weather.

Watch out for....

  • Slugs

They're ready to harvest when....

You can see when swedes are the right size. Lift them during late autumn and winter.

Storage Tips

You can store them in a cool dark place (in a sand box is best.)

Ways to cook

Add swede to any casserole or stew, or pop into a root veg soup. It mashes well too. It is arguably at its best in a proper Cornish Pasty though (but we would say that!)

Recipe Ideas

Coming soon

Types to try