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?
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.
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
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 shall try both ways and compare my results...I just need to clear some space in the front garden tomorrow...(weather permitting of course!)
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.
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.
Last year I followed my garlic with beetroot and had a great late crop..
Quote from: caroline7758 on June 03, 2014, 19:38:06
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.
Quote from: Spireite on June 03, 2014, 22:08:43
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 :happy7:
Lol, well on your way to seed addiction!
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.
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!
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.
Quote from: Jayb on June 04, 2014, 07:17:30
Quote from: caroline7758 on June 03, 2014, 19:38:06
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?
I use both 40 and 24 module trays... they both work well.
I use root trainers for beetroot rather than module trays.. Very handy things and they do last if you look after them.