beetroot when to harvest

[steves.no1]

hi all
can someone tell me whens the best time to harvest my beetroot they have been in about two weeks now and are 6'' high,
as i don't want them to go Woody
thanx
steve

[steves.no1]

[aquilegia]

If you only sowed them two weeks ago, you've got a while to wait. I sowed two months ago (I think) and they are about golf ball size max now. I will leave them a few more weeks to get bigger.

If you can't see the top of the root, have a gentle feel around with your fingers.

[Ken]

Mine were sown on the 10 March and I'm pulling mine now. Golf ball to cricket ball size seems to be OK.

Ken.
PS hope your into sport or you could have problems.

[Mrs Ava]

I think it depends on how much water they have had, which can make them woody.  I do believe that even tiddlers can be woody if they have been grown on the dry side.  I pulled some last year bigger than tennis balls, and they were tender and juicy and devine!  Pull as you need once you feel they are a useable size.

[Merry Tiller]

Best to judge it by sight

[tim]

Thanks for the reminder - needed thinning.

[Mothy]

They look very good Tim, what do you do with your thinnings?

[chrispea27]

I roast them dont leave them too long as they can easily become woody. Gorgeous pickled! ;D

[Granny_Smith]

My 'baby' beetroots are boiled then eaten as a hot vegetable and served with a white sauce, which always turns pink. Yummy !!!!

[tim]

Those? Probably raw in salads.

When there are more, sweet pickle.

[RSJK]

I do not thin my beetroot out, you will find that they will grow on top of each other.  My Dad was telling me that years ago they used to put the beetroot seed into an hessian sack and put it into a tank of water over night to help it germinate better in dry weather.
                                                         ;)

[tim]

1. Can't agree.

2. Or kitchen towels?