Topic: Beetroot and Parsnips

[vaca]

Hello,

I was wondering if beetroot and parsnip can be sarted in rootrainers or if it's better so sow them directly onto prepared beds. I remember reading that carrots and radish suffer too much if their roots are moved about - is this the case with beetroots and parsnips as well??

Thanks,
Vaca

[jennym]

I always sow parsnips direct.
Beetroot - occasionally I germinate in a seed tray, or small cells, and put out when about 1/2" big, usually though just sow direct.

[Svea]

would direct sow parsnips as the roots form almost before the first leaves do - root trainers are not long enough for that. save yourself the bother.

first time growing beetroot so have just sown them directly and await results. sory not much help

[Curryandchips]

Is it worth sowing beetroot in root trainers? I always sow directly into the ground, and have copious amounts, more than we ever eat ...

[Bun]

I started them both off in peat pots last year as the bed they were to go in wasn't prepared in time.
The Beetroot was fine, but about 60% of the parsnips had forked. That could have been from the peat pots or the bed they went into, 'cos there are quite a few stones in it.
I'm doing the same this year 'cos they're going in a new bed which we haven't finished  preparing just yet.  ::) But this time I'm going to do the 'make a big hole & fill it with compost ' method.   ;)

[Dixie]

I have always sown both beetroot and parsnips direct, a little thinning if necessary, and usually have a decent crop :)

[laurieuk]

We used to sow a small amount of radish seed mixed with the parsnip seed so that you could see where the row was and start hoeing any seedling weeds before the parsnips showed.