Growing swedes

[Primrose]

Never grown them before and just want a few. Will they survive being transplanted into the ground after being sown in modules or will transplanting mean the roots don't swell & develop properly?

[John]

Hello Primrose
I've always used modules and never had any problems, try to avoid any root disturbance though. Give them plenty of room as they grow into larger plants than you would think.

John

[Primrose]

Thanks John. Have just popped out to follow your advice. But when I slotted the seed packet back into my seed box I noticed that it was dated 2001, so it will be interesting to see if they actually germinate. When you only need a few plants it seems rather a waste to buy a packet of seeds. I know this sounds tight, but if you operate on this basis for ten different vegetables, they end up costing you quite a lot of money to grow if you can't make the packet last more than one season. Suppose I should have got myself more organised and checked out the seed-swap.

[John]

Hello again Primrose
Just done a quick check in a book (not Google!!!) and it says that swede and cabbage seeds will last well in unsealed containers at normal room temp. for up to 9 years so you should be lucky. I think if you store seeds carefully they will almost always last for a few more years than it says on the packet, the main exception seems to be parsnips.
Swedes grow to maturity quite quickly so you can sow them right up till June time and still get an excellent crop. If your seeds don't work there's still plenty of time to have another go.

John

[Johnboy]

Hi Primrose,
If in doubt as to the viability of your seed try a germination test twixt moist kitchen paper as you do to germinate Parsnips. They will take but a few days maybe about 4 days.
JB.

[The Mouse]

Hi Primrose
Last year was the first time I have succeded with swedes - and it was the first time I had started them off in modules!
The seed was from a packet I had used the previous year with my usual disasterous results, so I know last year's success wasn't down to better-quality seed.
I will never go back to sowing swedes in situ again.

[Mike Vogel]

Primrose, are your modules the all-pervasive loo roll inners? If so, then you should be able to get away with sowing them and transplanting the germinated seedlings without root disturbance. If you have time, ensure they are well watered and beware the flea-beetle, which I think did for most of mine last year.

mike

[The Mouse]

Hi again
What I forgot to mention, Primrose, is that I initially sowed my swedes in a seedtray, before pricking them out into modules. Rood disturbance doesn't seem to be a problem!

[Primrose]

Thanks for all your helpful comments. I've sown them in modules and done some spares because of the age of the seed so will keep my fingers crossed.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I usually sow the swedes at the beginning of May outdoors, but then transplant the thinnings to make up another row and they don't mind being moved at all. I try not to disturb the roots, but you can't see any difference after a couple of weeks, so your module sown ones should be fine.

Do make sure they don't dry out though wherever you grow them, as I've had most difficulty with germination when we've had a dry spell after sowing.

I'm going to try growing them under fleece or enviromesh for a start this year to see whether it reduces the flea beetle damage. Swedes seem to be one of their favourite nibbles. I'll just have to hope they aren't under the fleece already when I put it on.