From seed to swede
Swede (or neep, as we say in Scotland) is easy to grow and loves a cool climate. Starting them in biodegradable pots is a great eco-friendly way to give your seedlings a strong start and they can then go straight into the ground, pot and all.
1. Soak the coir growing plug
Soak the coir growing plug in 30ml water until it fully expands.
2. fill & sow
Fill each pot with the expanded compost and drop in 2-3 swede seeds and over lightly with a little more soil.
3. water & wait
Keep the compost damp, not soggy. Seeds sprout in about 1-2 weeks.
4. pick the strongest
When seedlings appear, keep the strongest one in each pot.
5. plant outside from April to June
After a few weeks, plant the whole pot in sunny, well drained soil, about 20 cm apart. The pot will break down naturally and feed your plant.
6. grow & harvest
Water, weed, and wait. After a few months, your neeps will be ready to lift and cook.
(A little frost before harvesting makes them sweeter)
Image: one of our ready-to-harvest swede fields in the Lothians, Scotland.
Thank you to Hazera for generously supplying seeds for us to share with our community, from schools and local farm shop pop-ups to chef demo events, as part of our #NeepsRising campaign.