How to grow Swede in Australia

Difficulty: Beginner
Sun: Full sun
Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 2 days
Spacing: 25 cm
Time to harvest: 90 days
Time to germinate: 10 days
Soil pH: 6 to 7
Frost tolerance: Frost hardy

A cool season root crop for full sun in firm, fertile, well drained soil. Sow direct and thin early so roots have room to swell.

At a glance

Region	When to sow	Regional note
South East Queensland	March to July
Northern Rivers NSW	March to July
Sydney & Coastal NSW	February to May	Sow Feb to May so the roots fill out in the coldest months. Later sowings run into spring warmth and turn woody.
Melbourne & Victoria	January to April	Sow Jan to Apr (peak Feb to Mar) so roots bulk up before deep cold. Spring sowings bolt and turn woody.
Adelaide & SA	February to June	Sow Feb to Jun so roots size up in the cool. Frost sweetens them, so they are at their best in the Hills.
Perth & WA	February to June	Sow Feb to Jun, peak Mar to Apr with the autumn pulse so roots size up in the cool. Frost pockets sweeten them.
Tasmania	November to January	Sow Nov to Jan so roots bulk up before winter. Frost makes them sweeter. A Tasmanian classic.
Canberra & ACT	January and February	Sow Jan to Feb so roots size up before winter. Frost sweetens them; dig through winter as needed.
North Queensland	May to July	Dry season May to Jul. A long cool crop, so very marginal on the coast; better on the Tablelands.
Darwin & Top End	May to July	Dry season May to Jul. Long cool crop so very marginal in Darwin.

Ready when roots are firm and a good size, sweeter after cool weather. Grip the leaves and pull, easing with a fork if the soil holds tight.

Cool dry place for 2 to 3 weeks. Fridge for up to 1 month.