The plot’s not complete without a selection of classic winter root vegetables to be the latest addition in your winter stews. Whilst similar in appearance, these two are different and often underrated. These British favourites deserve a place on the veg patch for their versatility in cooking, and quality crops.
At Dobies we provide a range of Turnip and Swede seeds for you to choose from, because plot to plate not only tastes better, but it is a joyful and valuable experience for all. Try the Swede ‘Aramis’ which is great start for someone who would love some homegrown Swede. Or ‘Model White’ Turnips for juicy and sweet flavours. They are also most popular for general purposes!
Why Grow Your Own Turnip & Swede From Seed?
Turnips are quick germinating and a reasonably fast crop from seed to plate. The green tops can be eaten after a month, and the turnip roots after a tad longer, the turnips will be ready to harvest after a couple more months.
A great crop for making sure you are still filing your allotment or raised borders as the winter months set in.
How to grow turnips from seed
Turnips like a cool sunny spot to grow in, if the area they are growing gets too hot they are likely to bolt.
- If soil is heavy add some compost and horticultural sand to the planting area, providing both nutrients and drainage.
- Sow turnip seeds late spring to mid-summer, even later if growing Turnip tops.
- When planting turnip seeds, prepare the ground with a light forking then rake and tread removing air pockets, rake again. Use a garden line to identify seedlings easily. As with all plants you grow, label and date.
- Sprinkle in some comfrey pellets or other slow release fertiliser around the Turnips as they begin to grow.
- Keep soil moist, especially when plants are young as this will help them establish more quickly.
- Turnips don't like root disturbance so gently weed around your plants when required.
Turnips are a fantastic end of season crop, another one that is a must on the ‘Grow a Christmas dinner’ list. As beds empty toward the end of the summer, Turnips can be repeated sown on the new available ground. Your homegrown Turnips will be so tasty that they can be peeled and eaten like an Apple.
How to grow swedes from seed
- It’s good to start swede seeds off in a seedbed in a cool spot. Prepare the seedbed so it has a nice weed free fine tilth for seeds. Transplant your swede seedlings when they look large enough to handle, plant them out in cool overcast conditions.
- Don't overdo it with Nitrogen, you don't want them to put on too much foliage, a good Seaweed liquid feed will help. It’s particularly important for Swedes as they supply the trace element Boron. Swedes can suffer deficiencies of this nutrient leading to brown centres of the edible root. Apply as Swedes put on growth, little and often.
- Swedes like plenty of moisture so if its dry make sure they are watered as they like plenty of moisture. It is a good idea to add a few buckets of Organic matter to the soil, prior to transplanting from the seed bed. Under watering can lead to corky, pithy Swedes.
- Cabbage whitefly can be quite fond of Swedes, so growing under insect netting for protection or fit special Collars around the base of the plant will help deter this pest.
For maximum use of space, grow Turnips along-side Swedes and enjoy the taste of both worlds!
Buy Turnip & Swede Seeds Online from Dobies!
