Beetroot

[Aussie Chick]

Hi,
Am I too late to sow Beetroot and which varieties do you recommend?   I have a greenhouse that I germinate them in if this helps.
thanks,
Aussie Chick.

[Aussie Chick]

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's definitely not too late, and I like Boltardy, which is about the commonest variety. Pick them when they're small, and don't forget the leaves, which are as good as the roots.

[westsussexlottie]

Buy a monogerm variety - much easier.

[Mrs Ava]

I will still be sowing beetroots into September!  I grow boltardy, chiogga, detroit, and then any that I see and think, well why not!  I loves beetroots!  I made my first sowing in modules back in late winter to plant out as little plants, but from April-ish onwards I sow direct.  Monogerm means there is only one seed in the 'cluster' so you don't need to thin, but I love those tiny baby beetroots so I tend to sow a little thicker than normal and use the thinnings as early salads. ;D

[Mothy]

I've been sowing a few Beetroot every few weeks for about a month now and will continue until I run out of seeds!

[Aussie Chick]

Great, thanks for your advice.
I'm off to get some seeds today!

[RichardS]

whilst your at the GC get some fleece too.  Pigeons (if present) will strip a nice healthy row of beetroot plants in the blink of an eyelid... (yes, I've suffered this!)

[tim]

Oh, Burpees Golden - a must!!

These Rainbow are [not/i] monogerm - nor in focus, again!

But the others are?

[tim]

PS An old one I know - but some will have missed it.

Non-staining, sweet tasting Golden.

[BAGGY]

Can someone start a beetroot recipe thread?  I love it cooked in salads withoads of vinigar and MIL curries it (ifit's not nailed down it  gets curried round here) which is yumm but that is aout my limit

[Robert_Brenchley]

My family object because everything beetroot's cooked with turns red. They like the leaves though.

[Aussie Chick]

Tim, it looks like you've started the growth off. Can't I just plonk them in a hole in the ground? ???

[tim]

Robert - exactly - why do you think I grow Golden! Plus their taste.

Aussie - of course, but I find them very intermittent. I like to know that each one is going to grow away - & no thinning. Can't bend any more!!

[Aussie Chick]

ok, thanks. Might try both methods and see which is best. I hate thinning so this seems pretty good.
AC

[David R]

Tim,

do you start them in damp paper - 2 layers or in a propagator with just one layer? It seems like a good method, saving thinning.

[tim]

Paper sandwich with clingfilm over - in the kitchen.