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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Aussie Chick on May 23, 2005, 21:18:03

Title: Beetroot
Post by: Aussie Chick on May 23, 2005, 21:18:03
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.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 23, 2005, 21:23:12
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.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: westsussexlottie on May 23, 2005, 22:20:23
Buy a monogerm variety - much easier.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Mrs Ava on May 23, 2005, 22:53:03
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
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Mothy on May 23, 2005, 23:25:01
I've been sowing a few Beetroot every few weeks for about a month now and will continue until I run out of seeds!
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Aussie Chick on May 24, 2005, 07:57:03
Great, thanks for your advice.
I'm off to get some seeds today!
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: RichardS on May 24, 2005, 19:21:29
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!)
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: tim on May 24, 2005, 19:41:36
Oh, Burpees Golden - a must!!

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

But the others are?
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: tim on May 24, 2005, 19:52:01
PS An old one I know - but some will have missed it.

Non-staining, sweet tasting Golden.

Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: BAGGY on May 24, 2005, 22:49:40
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
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 24, 2005, 22:52:47
My family object because everything beetroot's cooked with turns red. They like the leaves though.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Aussie Chick on May 25, 2005, 07:10:12
Tim, it looks like you've started the growth off. Can't I just plonk them in a hole in the ground? ???
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: tim on May 25, 2005, 08:16:01
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!!
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Aussie Chick on May 25, 2005, 08:24:30
ok, thanks. Might try both methods and see which is best. I hate thinning so this seems pretty good.
AC
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: David R on May 25, 2005, 09:25:53
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.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: tim on May 25, 2005, 09:29:22
Paper sandwich with clingfilm over - in the kitchen.