Swede.

I had to plant out the swede today as they had been sitting in the tray for ages. They haven’t grown in the peat pots, so it was going in or being thrown away. I had to net them as well, as the birds will eat them as soon as look at them.

The ground was really soft from all the rain, so it was easy to put the plants in. I also put some some of my own compost on and put pellets around them so the slugs would DIE!

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Now for some facts.

Larger than the turnip and with a rough skin that is partly tan and partly purple, the swede’s unpolished appearance hides a fine texture and distinctive, sweet tasting flesh.

The swede comes from central Europe and was an important European crop by the 18th century. During the nineteenth century it reached the USA (where it is known as rutabaga – check out your Branston pickle jar) and then Canada.

It’s a hardy plant that is frost-tolerant and thrives in moist soil. So should be fine for the allotment at the moment.

Swede has a good mineral content and is low in saturated fat. It also provides some fibre and vitamins A and C. Lovely.