SWEDE ‘Aspen’ Vegetable Seeds
Botanical name:Brassica napus
Other names:Rutabaga or Swedish Turnip
Swede ‘Aspen’ is a reliable, high-yielding variety that produces smooth, round roots with attractive purple shoulders and creamy-yellow flesh. Known for its mild, sweet flavour and fine texture, ‘Aspen’ is perfect for mashing, roasting, soups, or winter casseroles. This hardy vegetable stores exceptionally well, making it an excellent staple crop for cooler months. Young leaves can also be cooked as nutritious greens rich in vitamins and minerals.
Plant Type:
- Cool season biennial grown as an annual
- Plant Height: 30–40 cm
Sow When:
- Germinates best between 10–20°C soil temperature
- Temperate: Late summer to autumn
- Cool: Late summer to early winter
- Subtropical: Autumn to early winter
- Arid: Late summer to early winter
- Tropical: Best grown during the coolest part of the year—autumn sowing recommended
Germination:
- Depth: Sow seeds 1–2 cm deep
- Position: Full sun for best growth
- Sow Where: Direct sow into prepared beds; avoid transplanting as roots may be disturbed
Soil Type:
- Details: Loose, fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; pH 6.5–7.5
Spacing:
- Plant Spacing: Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart
- Row Spacing: 40–50 cm apart
Details:
- Days to Harvest: 90–120 days
- Harvest when roots reach 10–15 cm across for best flavour and texture.
Growing Tips:
- Keep soil evenly moist throughout growth to avoid woody roots and cracking.
- Mulch well to maintain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer or compost tea every 4–6 weeks.
- Remove weeds regularly to reduce competition for nutrients.
- Lift roots carefully with a fork to avoid damage.
- Store harvested swedes in a cool, dry place for extended shelf life.
Companion Planting
Swede ‘Aspen’ benefits greatly from companion plants that support growth, deter pests naturally, and improve overall garden health. Strategic planting creates a balanced ecosystem, promoting vigorous roots and healthy, nutrient-rich swedes.
- Onions: Aromatic companion that repels aphids, carrot flies, and other common root pests. Onions improve Swede growth by reducing insect pressure and attracting beneficial predatory insects.
- Radish: Fast-growing root vegetable that helps loosen soil, improving aeration and nutrient availability for Swede. Radish also attracts pests away from young swede seedlings.
- Additional Companions: Chamomile, celery, lettuce, and marigold support pest control, improve pollination, and enhance overall soil health when planted alongside Swede.
Using onions and radish together with Swede ‘Aspen’ creates a productive, low-maintenance planting system. This combination improves soil fertility, reduces pest damage, and encourages steady, healthy root development throughout the growing season, resulting in robust, flavourful swedes and a reliable harvest.
