Swedes........

[greenishfing]

I usually do well with swedes. I always plant them direct in April and then thin when they are up. I continue to thin them through to Autumn, using the thinnings to throw in stews. I leave the rest in the ground until I need them.

When I started with the allotment one of old timers told me the secret with swedes was to get plenty air round them, not to let them get too crowded. He said not to plant them where it was sheltered, they liked a windy blast.

It seems to work for me.

[Scoot]

bittermess should go once the frost gets to them

Or a few days in the freezer chopped up before using them?

[Sharpy]

They're really more of a winter cropping plant as they are so hardy. If I want something similar in summer / autumn I have a turnip.

I think maybe i just got lucky the first year as they tasted lovely

[KevinM67]

Are swedes orange or white inside ?

[Scoot]

Are swedes orange or white inside ?

I think they are a pale orange. I've never grown them so i could be corrected by someone...

[lottie dolly]

Are swedes orange or white inside ?

depends on the variety,ranges from pale orange to a beige,have a look in your shops,as the large ones are cut in half,trimmed and cling filmed,where as some smaller places they are as they come

[KevinM67]

I think they are a pale orange. I've never grown them so i could be corrected by someone...

A turnip then ?

[Alison]

A turnip then ?

No, a swede is a swede and a turnip is a turnip although some parts if the UK seem to call them different things. Swedes are much hardier and usually grown as a winter crop. Calling them the same thing is like calling a sprout plant a cabbage . Both can vary in colour depending on variety but turnips are usually much paler, the ones I grew last summer where creamy white coloured inside.

[lottie dolly]

not only are they little and large,they taste totaly different,what i can remember of a turnip,it was hot like an over grown radish

[KevinM67]

I think you'll find you are both wrong Alison and Lottie.

[Dianaalice]

Yes turnip---usually white radish taste, swede--- usually orange and more of a sweet taste.

[Thelma Sanders]

not only are they little and large,they taste totaly different,what i can remember of a turnip,it was hot like an over grown radish

Turnips are usually paler and will grow as big as swede, but fibrous by then and strong tasting - don't like them.
Swede is usually bigger and a darker yellow or orange flesh and after frost are quite mild tasting. I much prefer them.

Swede is Brassica napus var. napobrassica turnip is Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

[Alison]

I think you'll find you are both wrong Alison and Lottie.

No idea why you feel the need to say this, assuming it's an attempt at humour? If it's not and I'm misunderstanding then let me know at some point.

[Alison]

Turnips are usually paler and will grow as big as swede, but fibrous by then and strong tasting - don't like them.
Swede is usually bigger and a darker yellow or orange flesh and after frost are quite mild tasting. I much prefer them.

Swede is Brassica napus var. napobrassica turnip is Brassica rapa subsp. rapa

I prefer swedes too

[KevinM67]

No idea why you feel the need to say this, assuming it's an attempt at humour? If it's not and I'm misunderstanding then let me know at some point.

Jeez - Lighten up

It's well known there are regional differences between what we interpret as a swede or turnip.

No need to go in a huff about it.