Swede

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swedes are simply a cabbage plant where the stem has swollen. They are very hardy, and easy to grow.
How to
* Swedes need a soil dug over and manured the previous autumn, and allowed to consolidate. Lime if necessary in winter. Don't loosen the soil again in spring.
* sow seed thinly in shallow drills 15 inches apart, directly in their final bed.
* Protect by covering with fleece or enviromesh tunnel.
* Thin the seedlings progressively until they are about 9 inches apart. I have successfully transplanted the thinnings - but this is unreliable.
* Water them evenly in dry weather - a sudden supply of water can make them split.
* Start harvesting from early autumn onwards - although they are supposed to become sweeter after the first frost. I lift as required, and burn the remains - don't compost them.
* and deal with pests!