Growing Rutabaga, also Swedes

Brassica napus var.napobrassica : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
            P P        

(Best months for growing Rutabaga in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 45°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Peas, Beans, Chives
  • Avoid growing close to: Potatoes

Your comments and tips

12 Apr 24, Pat Fraser (Australia - temperate climate)
Bunnings have Swede seeds.
21 Nov 13, Pete Sawyer (Australia - temperate climate)
In reply to johno..If you have huge leaf growth with either Swedes or cabbage ,caulies toms or most others it can often be because of to much nitrogen. You try to build up the soil with chemicals when a better way is organic compost.I have discovered this the hard way. Best of luck keep trying and you will get it right Regards Pete
04 Aug 13, johno (Australia - temperate climate)
I have grown Sweds for the first time this year with not much success. Theye have grown more like a tube instead of a ball and they seem to have all the growth above the ground. The foilage on top is huge so I think the growth has gone to the top instead of under the soil. Can anyone suggest ways to improve next years crop.
23 Jul 13, kenneth Griffiths (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Boil swede and carrot, mash together add pepper and vinegar to taste and serve as a veg with any roast dinner. Particularly good with roast beef.
08 Jan 12, Ron (Australia - temperate climate)
Originally from Scotland 50 years ago, we always had mashed swede(neeps) with haggis and it is still one of my favorites.
25 Mar 11, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
You recommend harvesting when the swede is tennis ball size, in the UK we used to buy them the size of bowling balls. Any reason why you recommend harvesting when they are so small?
06 Oct 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
When they get large they can get very fibrous and tough - good cattle feed, but not so good for the rest of us.
20 Sep 10, Pam, Western Australia-Temperate (Australia - temperate climate)
When in UK on holiday I found that swede seemed much sweeter than here. Anyone know what variety they are and if can grow or buy here (WA).
07 Mar 12, David Allison (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
A slight frost will sweeten swedes - experiment by putting a swede in your deep freeze for an hour or more (depends on the size of the swede)
08 Oct 10, Tassy Michele (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hiya Pam, I grew up eating swede and still love it. I think the sweetness is in the cooking. Mum used to peel and dice swede and put in pot in cold water, bring to boil and pour off water (it is often a brownish colour and bitter to taste). She would then cover in cold water and sprinkle a scant teaspoon of sugar on, and simmer until cooked. Mash and add a dob of butter ....... YUM. She cooked broad beans and brussel sprouts in the same way. Swede is also very nice oven baked as you would potato wedges. Try sweet potato, carrot and parsnip the same way .... even my young boys loved veg like this. Cheers
Showing 31 - 40 of 46 comments

I enjoy eating swede and have never considered it a sweet type of vegetable. I love it cooked with potato and carrot and then mashed with milk and butter. I like it simply steamed. I think it is simply personal preference.

- Maureen

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