beetroot & peppers

[new potter]

can i start beetroot of in  pots or not i bought a packet of beetroot (Detroit 2) from netto's for 19p :D
i also bought a packet of peppers (Californian wonder) also for 19p :D how easy are they to grow ??? how do i grow them ???

[new potter]

[ajb]

Beetroot don't like to be transplanted, but you can multi-sow the round ones into modules (or pots), thin them to 3 seedlings per module and plant them out together without disturbing their roots.

Is california wonder a bell pepper? They are similar in needs to tomato plants, warmth, good sunlight, rich moist (but not soggy) compost/soil. They do best in a greenhouse and often don't ripen outside unless there is an exceptional summer.  Chillies are easier as they ripen quickly.
A.

[Mrs Ava]

I started my first lot of beetroot in modules last year just to get a march on the growing season.  They were fine and we were pulling golf ball sized roots by very early summer.  After that, I sowed directly and had a bumper crop.  They do seem easy to grow directly.

Peppers should probably be started in the warm any time now.  I also do these in modules in my heated conservatory and then out into the greenhouse come April, also heated.  Once they are out there, I feed them with liquid tom feed at the same time as doing the toms and I had more than I could eat last year!  ;D

Off tp Lidls tomorrow and they have cheap seeds.  Must resist temptation!

[john_miller]

California Wonder is an old variety of pepper that is open pollinated so lacks hybrid vigour. While the seeds are cheaper, in marginal situations more expensive hybrid seed may prove more reliable in producing a crop.