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VegetablesHardyBiennial
Swede
Swede is a slower stronger-growing brassica root for autumn and winter use, valued for dense roots that store well and stand cold weather. It needs more time than turnip but repays it with larger roots and dependable late-season kitchen value.
Basic information
Category
Vegetables
Lifecycle
Biennial
Hardiness
Hardy
Planting partners
2 companions · 1 crop to avoid
Growth profile
Days to harvest
180 days
Germination window
7–14 days
Germination temperature
10–20 °C
Plant spacing
30 cm
Row spacing
45 cm
Sowing depth
2 cm
Height
45 cm
Spread
30 cm
Calendar
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Sow Indoors
Sow Outdoors
Plant Out
Flowering / Harvest
Timings based on average frost dates in the UK. Sign up to set your frost dates.
Care tips
Give swedes a long uninterrupted season in fertile firm ground, and thin seedlings early so roots can develop to full size. Keep them watered in dry spells and harvest before severe cold if your soil is hard to dig in winter.
Common pests
Flea beetles, cabbage root fly, slugs, club root.
