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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: steves.no1 on June 30, 2005, 13:53:07

Title: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: steves.no1 on June 30, 2005, 13:53:07
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
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: aquilegia on June 30, 2005, 14:15:09
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.
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: Ken on June 30, 2005, 18:06:43
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.
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: Mrs Ava on June 30, 2005, 18:14:11
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.
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: Merry Tiller on June 30, 2005, 19:40:07
Best to judge it by sight
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: tim on June 30, 2005, 21:11:23
Thanks for the reminder - needed thinning.

Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: Mothy on July 01, 2005, 00:04:46
They look very good Tim, what do you do with your thinnings?
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: chrispea27 on July 01, 2005, 07:12:52
I roast them dont leave them too long as they can easily become woody. Gorgeous pickled! ;D
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: Granny_Smith on July 01, 2005, 07:20:44
My 'baby' beetroots are boiled then eaten as a hot vegetable and served with a white sauce, which always turns pink. Yummy !!!!
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: tim on July 01, 2005, 07:55:34
Those? Probably raw in salads.

When there are more, sweet pickle.
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: RSJK on July 01, 2005, 08:22:07
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.
                                                         ;)
Title: Re: beetroot when to harvest
Post by: tim on July 01, 2005, 13:34:54
1. Can't agree.

2. Or kitchen towels?