Hum, well not lack of water obviously, which variety did you grow? Must say I prefer the summer Milan turnips to swedes which can be fibrous if left in the ground too long.

Hello! I have never grown swede, but a similar experience with parsnip may help ... when I watered the parsnip they were hairy and woody, but the next year, following advice, when I left them to the elements as regards water they were longer, larger and not hairy. MG is also right that they may have been left in the ground too long!