Topic: Beetroot

[Spireite]

I thought I might try my hand at beetroot this year (I know that I am LITTLE late)...but..... do I sow directly into the ground or use small plant pots and transplant once they are large enough?

[Ian Pearson]

Transplanting is more useful for the earliest crops. No problem with sowing direct now, and it's not really late; I'll probably do two more sowings this year.

[Nora42]

I don't think it's too late either I sow some direct and some in module pots so I can fill in what's missing due to slugs and snails.
Nora

[caroline7758]

The beetroot I sowed in modules has been incredibly slow to grow. Is that normal?And at what size do you plant it out?

[Spireite]

I shall try both ways and compare my results...I just need to clear some space in the front garden tomorrow...(weather permitting of course!)

[kt.]

I have always direct sowed with brilliant results.  But for reasons unknown, this year I sowed a full pack of boltardy 2 months ago and nothing has come up so will be sowing a pack of Pablo later this week.

[Spireite]

Hmm; I purchased a packet of Boltardy (Kings seeds) yesterday, and was reassured they were very reliable!  Am I just a sucker for a good salesman technique, I didn't fancy the cylindrical/long shaped beets.

[gavinjconway]

Last year I followed my garlic with beetroot and had a great late crop..

[Jayb]

The beetroot I sowed in modules has been incredibly slow to grow. Is that normal?And at what size do you plant it out?

I find module ones grow on as quick or quicker than those in the ground, flea beetle can be a problem here so growing in modules avoids that. I plant out when still fairly small but the roots have filled the modules. They then have a head start against any germinating weed seeds which for me makes it easier to weed.

[Jayb]

Hmm; I purchased a packet of Boltardy (Kings seeds) yesterday, and was reassured they were very reliable!  Am I just a sucker for a good salesman technique, I didn't fancy the cylindrical/long shaped beets.

Boltardy are a good variety, easy to grow and have nice tasty beets. I'm with the others not to late to sow at all 
Lol, well on your way to seed addiction!

[BarriedaleNick]

I always plant in modules and plant out when established - but then I mostly do that with everything.
I also prefer the cylindrical varieties - Alto in particular.  I find they cook more evenly and quickly and they taste great as well.

[pigeonseed]

It doesn't have to be the seeds at fault if you don't see results - seedlings can be nibbled as they come up.

I have almost zero success with beetroot in my allotment - so it can't be the seeds themselves. They suffer badly from slug/snail damage and any survivors they tend to sit there and never develop roots or even large leaves. Every now and then a few of them grow small beetroots, but I can't see any pattern to it!

I see other plots with big waving leaves and bulging roots - and the people don't even eat them, they just leave them there all winter and chuck them on the compost heap ggrrrr!

I'm going to try the modules approach - thanks for the tip!

[Digeroo]

I sow a last sowing when the onions come out, so there is plenty of time yet.  At that stage they do not get very big but I like them golf ball sized.

[GrannieAnnie]

The beetroot I sowed in modules has been incredibly slow to grow. Is that normal?And at what size do you plant it out?

I find module ones grow on as quick or quicker than those in the ground, flea beetle can be a problem here so growing in modules avoids that. I plant out when still fairly small but the roots have filled the modules. They then have a head start against any germinating weed seeds which for me makes it easier to weed.

What size module do you use, please?

[gavinjconway]

I use both 40 and 24 module trays... they both work well.

[BarriedaleNick]

I use root trainers for beetroot rather than module trays..  Very handy things and they do last if you look after them.