How to grow swede in a raised bed

Swede (rutabaga) is the sweet, hearty root that carries a winter kitchen — slow to grow but rock-hardy, and a raised bed's deep mix gives it room to size up.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun
• Spacing: 20 cm apart
• Tub depth: our 35 cm or 41 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 4–5 months

When to plant: Swede is a long, cool-season crop — sow from summer to autumn so it matures through the cold, which sweetens the root. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing them in a raised bed: Sow directly into loose, stone-free mix and thin well — crowded swedes stay small. Steady, unhurried growth gives the best roots.

Watering and feeding: Keep moisture even — a dry spell followed by a soaking splits the roots. Not a heavy feeder.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and caterpillars. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are downy mildew and leaf spot. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Follows a legume crop nicely; keep brassicas away from strawberries. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Lift once the roots are fist-sized. They store for weeks in a cool spot, and hold well in the bed through winter.

More growing guides: turnips, parsnips and kohlrabi.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Miwok from France, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.