Crops › Swede (Rutabaga)
How to grow Swede (Rutabaga)
in the UK
Sow May to June, plant out July to September, harvest October to February. About 150 days from seed to plate.
Swede, or rutabaga as some call it, is a cracking proper winter veg for the allotment. It's surprisingly easy to grow and will keep you going through the colder months when there's not much else fresh from the plot. They just sit there, growing away, waiting for you to pick 'em.
Sowing
You'll want to sow swede direct into the ground from May right through to June; that's when you're looking to get them in. No need for any fancy plug plants or anything, just make a shallow drill, maybe 1 cm deep, and pop your seeds in. Cover 'em over gently and space them out a bit, like I say, you'll be thinning 'em later to about 20-25 cm apart. The soil needs to be nice and moist to get them off to a good start, that's proper important.
Growing on
Once your swede seedlings are up and they've got a couple of true leaves showing, you'll need to thin them out a bit. Aim for about 20 to 25 cm between each plant, that gives 'em plenty of room to swell up into a decent size. If you've been a bit heavy-handed with the seed, don't worry, just pull the weakest ones out. There's no need for pricking out or hardening off with swede, they go straight in the ground from the off.
Looking after it
Swede likes a steady supply of water, especially when they're bulking up in size, so keep an eye on the weather and give 'em a good drink if it's dry. Don't let 'em dry out too much, 'cause that can make 'em a bit woody, you know what I mean? Keep the weeds down too; they're only after the same water and nutrients. A bit of an old mulch around the plants can help keep that moisture in the soil, like.
What goes wrong
Flea beetle can be a right pain when the seedlings are tiny, they chew little holes in the leaves, so keep an eye out for that. Cabbage root fly can be an issue too, especially in warmer weather, affecting the roots. You might also find club root mentioned, some varieties are much better for it, to be honest. Just keep an eye on 'em, especially when they're young and vulnerable.
Harvest
Your swede will be ready for harvest from October right through to February, about 150 days from when you sowed them. Just pull 'em up when they're a good, solid size, a proper football if you like. You can happily leave them in the ground on the plot, they'll sit there through the winter and you can pick 'em as you need 'em. Or, you can lift 'em and store 'em in a cool, dark place, like a shed, where they'll keep for ages.
I always make sure to give my swede a good, consistent watering early on; it really helps them get established and avoids any bitterness later.
Dates for your plot
Type the first half of your postcode and the plant-out advice shifts to your area's typical frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Invitation F1 This F1 hybrid is a good early one to get going on the plot. It's also got decent mildew resistance, which is a bonus for healthier plants. | No club votes yet |
| Tweedia A solid maincrop swede that'll give you a cracking yield. It's known for being a good keeper too, so perfect for winter storage. | No club votes yet |
| Brora This late variety is a handsome one with its distinctive purple top. It's a proper hardy type, so it'll sit well on the plot through colder weather. | No club votes yet |
| Helenor Disease resistant. | No club votes yet |
| Best of All A proper traditional heritage variety, 'Best of All' has been grown for generations. It’s a reliable choice if you're after that classic swede flavour. | No club votes yet 1 growing it |
| Marian Marian is a cracking choice if you're up north like me, being very cold tolerant. It also boasts a really good flavour, perfect for your winter stews. | No club votes yet 1 growing it |
| Ruby This maincrop variety stands out with its lovely dark purple skin and bright yellow flesh. It's a real looker and tastes cracking too. | No club votes yet |
| Acme Acme is another proper heritage purple-top swede, a traditional favourite for good reason. You can count on it for a reliable crop year after year. | No club votes yet |
| Virtue This one's a star if club root is a problem on your plot, offering good resistance. It also has a lovely sweet flavour, making it a proper tasty option. | No club votes yet |
| Angela Angela produces proper large, uniform roots that are just perfect for storing. If you want a good winter supply, this one's for you. | No club votes yet |
| Gowrie A traditional Scottish heritage variety, Gowrie is known for being extra hardy. It's a reliable choice for tougher conditions and a cracking winter feed. | No club votes yet |
| Lizzy Lizzy is another excellent choice for club root resistance, helping keep your plants healthy. It gives you a good size root too, making it a reliable performer. | No club votes yet |
| Champion Purple Top This is a classic heritage purple-top swede, a proper champion for traditional growers. It's a reliable variety that rarely lets you down on the plot. | No club votes yet |
| Wilhelmsburger Wilhelmsburger is a distinctive green-top heritage swede and very hardy indeed. It's a solid choice for colder areas or if you just want a tough plant. | No club votes yet |
| Helenor Club root resistant hybrid. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Swede (Rutabaga) seeds
Partner retailers. If you buy through these links we may earn a small commission. It never costs you more.
Cook the harvest
Chunks of swede braised low and slow in a sticky, spicy gochujang sauce until completely tender and deeply glazed — this is the dish that will make you see swede in a completely different light. It draws on the Korean technique of braising root vegetables in a sweet-savoury sauce, and the swede's density and mild sweetness make it an ideal candidate. Serve over steamed rice for a hearty, warming vegan dinner.
60 min · mediumA proper winter warmer that lets swede do what it does best — turn silky and sweet when blended. Smoked bacon brings depth and a little smokiness, and a swirl of cream at the end makes it feel genuinely special. This is the soup that converts swede sceptics.
45 min · easyLayers of thinly sliced swede and potato baked in a garlicky cream sauce and topped with a thick crust of mature Cheddar — this is cold-weather cooking at its absolute best. The swede softens into the cream and adds a gentle sweetness that plain potato gratin simply doesn't have. Serve it alongside roast lamb or beef, or eat it on its own with a sharp green salad.
90 min · mediumCrispy, golden rösti made from grated swede and carrot, fried until deeply caramelised and served with runny fried eggs and a dollop of soured cream. This is a proper, satisfying weeknight supper that comes together in under half an hour. The swede brings a slightly sweet, earthy depth that makes these far more interesting than a straight potato rösti.
28 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: peas
Questions people ask
When do you sow Swede (Rutabaga) in the UK?
Sow Swede (Rutabaga) from May to June. Plant out July to September, after the last frost.
How long does Swede (Rutabaga) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 150 days, with the harvest October to February.
Which Swede (Rutabaga) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Invitation F1, Tweedia, Brora, Helenor and more.
Track your Swede (Rutabaga) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.