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Growing Swedes, also Rutabagas

(Brassica napus var.napobrassica)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
P P P         P P      

(Best months for planting Swedes in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)


  • Easy to grow.
  • Harvest in 70-100 days
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
  • Best planted at soil temperatures between 7°C and 30°C.
  • Space plants: 10-20cm

Member of turnip family Round root vegetable with creamy white flesh and reddish purple leaves.

They take about 3 to 4 months to grow.

Grow where beans or peas have been grown the year before.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Swedes

Use when about the size of a tennis ball.
The leaves can be cooked like cabbage when young.

Your comments and tips

05 Feb 10 Russell (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Last year I planted seeds in late January or early February and they did not grow enough before winter (Timaru) and just went to tops. I think they may have to be grown like leeks which are always great if planted by December. Looking at your calendar they can be grown anytime but Southland swedes which are the best are planted in November I am told.

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See planting calendar for these climate zones

New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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