Swede, from Seed

I'd say direct sown, not heard of transplanting, although these days they transplant just about anything.
Swede grows easily, but one for a bit later on I'm thinking.

 

Not sure, years since I grew swede, but used it as a winter veg, sown I'm thinking around late June early july to stand in the ground all winter.

 

Well wait and see what others come up with but I think if you sow too early it will bolt, likewise if you transplant.

 

Yes you can sow swede late May / June, frost doesn't bother them. I think a frost adds to the flavour unless I am thinking of something else ? might be parsnips.

 

I grew Swede last year, sowing about late May time and that was plenty early enough even up here in Scotland. Germination was very good. They grew fine in not great soil and the 1st couple I lifted were very tasty. I left them in situ and was looking forward to having them mashed with loads of butter and black pepper to accompany Haggis over the winter months. However my plans were completely ruined by......... those damned things with antlers which decimated pretty much the whole crop. Certainly not a difficult and very hardy vegetable to grow with few problems UNLESS you have anything resembling Bambi lurking about in Ashford!
Before the 4 legged "locusts" descended we did eat some of the young leaves as you would Spring greens. They are really quite nice if you like cabbage. Don't take too many leaves off as that might affect the size of the roots tho.

 

I sow Turnips early on, end march start of april in soil that has been under black plastic, I sow lettuce next to them, re-cover with the plastic until germinated. Harvest Turnips in June, lettuce been and gone by then. Now sow lettuce in the turnip space and swede where the lettuce was. Four crops one space, and two brassicas grown, but not in same space so less chance of club root.

Grow radishes too in between the swedes, spring onions with the lettuce..lol

Steve...

 

Spring Onions I too find a bit trcky for some unknown reason. Maybe it's a seed thing ("bad workmen ie me blame their tools".
I either have good or dire results. I grow mine in the greenhouse in containers which works best up here. I used to live in a massive commercial greenhouse area which had been dedicated to growing tomatoes before the Dutch ruined that industry. There was 2 acres of greenhouses in front of my house and they were used on and off for growing Spring Onions, commonly known in these parts as Sibies! They were grown in unfertilised soil and seldom watered. This suggested to me that they either like fairly tough but warm conditions to grow in or perhaps more likely the growers couldn't be bothered to maximize the crop!
No advice @Fat Controller re winter radish I'm afraid. Someone gave me an elderly pack of Mooli seeds. With nothing to loose I sowed them a couple of years ago. Either they are incredibly slow to germinate or the seed had gone well past it's best, who knows.
Last season I grew cauliflowers (started off in pots in the greenhouse which maybe you couldn't do?) planted them out under cloches in Early April and they were ready by end of May, I then used the space for swede. Admittedly swede may not be the best for you if space is a premium. Leeks take a good while to grow to a good size but you can harvest wee ones and use as similar to spring onions, don't take up much room and can stay in situ over winter. They are usually quite expensive to buy in comparison to swede so maybe they would be an alternative, also carrots are really quick can be eaten young and little space needed between each plant. Personally as home grown carrots are so superior to shop bought I'd grow those before swede. I'm just very lucky to have the space to grow pretty well all I want.

 

Yes Mooli can be cooked, great in stir fries as well as in salads, I grew some 2016/17 overwinter in the polytunnel. Germination was good and quick and they grew to around 18 inches for me (3-4 inch diameter) Can be pickled too.

Steve...