Unknown swede and turnip problem

[Saraheliz]

Hi

this is the first time I have ever grown swedes and turnips and in both when growing in the garden I have found some brown marks in them inside when you open them up.

Just eaten my first home grown swede which is so exciting but had to cut half of it away, does anyone know what this is?
or how to prevent it for next year?

many thanks in advance

from
Sarah

[Comfreyfan]

Swedes and turnips get something called brown heart which is caused by boron defficiency. Brassicas are hungry plants and if your soil is a bit light it won't hold the nutrients. It's a good idea to work in plenty of compost or well rotted manure when you're preparing the soil to improve the texture and help it to hold on to the goodness. I'm not sure if there's anything you can use to actually stop it happening, but generally soil improving is a good place to start.

[Snadger]

You used to be able to get borax powder for boron defficiency?

Probably better to use a fertiliser that stipulates 'With added trace elements' on the packaging!

[Rocketron]

Not really pertinent, but can someone tell me why I have had such a weird swede crop this year?
Every thing seemed fine early on, but nearly all my swede developed really thick necks and hardly any bulbing of the main part. Cr*p description, I know but I don't know any better.

[Hilary B]

Not really pertinent, but can someone tell me why I have had such a weird swede crop this year?
Every thing seemed fine early on, but nearly all my swede developed really thick necks and hardly any bulbing of the main part. Cr*p description, I know but I don't know any better.

Sounds like they are trying to produce seed this year instead of storing up energy to get started early next year (most brassicas we eat as veg are biennials, and that is what biennials are supposed to do, but sometimes they try to do it all in one year, known as 'bolting'). Can't remember what the books say about causes, but got a feeling it is climatic, and we've had some weird weather this year.... I imagine someone with more (and more recent) veg growing know-how will be along soon.

[Alice]

I've nothing real to add to this Saraheliz but I'd go with Comfreyfan.
A couple of years ago I grew some turnips in quite rubbish ground and they were all shot with little brown threads - useless really.
This year I have swedes and turnips in better ground and they are just perfect.
I think the ground does matter.

[Saraheliz]

thanks everyone thats something I never thought of!! u see I have been treating swedes as root veg which don't need as much nutrients.
does that mean in crop rotation i treat them as brassicas!

much appreciate all ur help

from
Sarah

[Flummery]

Not really pertinent, but can someone tell me why I have had such a weird swede crop this year?
Every thing seemed fine early on, but nearly all my swede developed really thick necks and hardly any bulbing of the main part. Cr*p description, I know but I don't know any better.

Mine always go like that. I've decided that life has more to worry about than swede, which I love but now buy - and I still only buy 3 or 4 a year because I grow such a variety of other things. I decided that growing older meant learning when to give up!

[Comfreyfan]

[QUOTE=Saraheliz;298026]thanks everyone thats something I never thought of!! u see I have been treating swedes as root veg which don't need as much nutrients.
does that mean in crop rotation i treat them as brassicas!/QUOTE]

Yep, they're brassicas.

[Saraheliz]

thanks Comfreyfanxx, have to plan my whole garden differentl now!

[Snadger]

thanks everyone thats something I never thought of!! u see I have been treating swedes as root veg which don't need as much nutrients.
does that mean in crop rotation i treat them as brassicas!

much appreciate all ur help

from
Sarah

Yes they are a brassica and as such they could get all the brassica problems!
I grow mildew and clubroot resistant types just to be on the safe side!

[Saraheliz]

thank you Snadger, I love growing them, wish I had more than 3! appreciate ur helpxx