Beetroot in modules in the greenhouse

Does anyone else plant their beetroot seeds in modules or pots in the greenhouse as Monty did on GW last week?

I planted them for the first time last year direct in the veg plot and they grew ok though didn't get very big, could this be cos of the dry, hot June/July? I did attempt to water them every evening.

 

I grow 3 or 4 seedlings per 3" pot, and plant those out, and then "pull" all-bar-one for thinnings, leaving one to grow bigger.

There was another thread were this was discussed (along with other comments about the program, thus I repeat the relevant bit here) and thoughts were voiced that planting a whole tray of Beetroot seedlings was quite a lot / too many for most people - unless they wanted to Pickle / Process the proceeds.

I do about 10 x 3" pots in one batch, and then repeat about once a month.

 

Thanks, I think I might plant some in pots now my greenhouse is nearly ready

 

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I discovered this method by mistake a few years ago and have continued ever since!

I only sow about twelve positions and then plant some more later!

I also plant onion sets in threes when I plant them into the ground, as my wife likes smaller onions rather than large ones, this is the perfect way to get them!

Another thing people on our plots arrive early in the season with about a hundred lettuce plants or the same with cabbages, then they all go to seed at the same time, but they never seem to share them out, and they never learn.

Little and often with some plants!

Cheers!

 

I always plant my onion sets straight out too but might try your way this year

Thanks

 

Penny,

Slight confusion, I too plant my onion sets straight into the ground, not modules!

I bought too many sets one year and did not have room to plant them all out so I started to put them in twos and threes and they were fine, just as the beetroot are when they are planted in groups!

Hope this clears this up!

Cheers!

 

Hi, I've recently found out one of the drivers at work is an experienced gardener, in fact he judges at shows, so he's now become my best friend!!! He told me to start my onion sets off in the greenhouse, coming from Scotland we have cold weather well into May. Then I saw Monty with the beetroot, so I've done the following, I've got about 20 onions started in my greenhouse in two troughs, about 60 beetroot (single) the way Monty suggests in plugs, 10 turnip, 10 cabbage and 10 cauliflower, all in large pots. My plan being when they're ready to go out I will plant on what I can use, the remainder will go to my workmates. I might then, start a few more.
Outside I've got one garlic bulb split which will give me more than enough for my own use.
I got a rhubarb cutting and potted it up, put a pot over it and now it's thriving with three good stalks.
My strawberries look ok, and my vine is dormant still, so all in all my crops are doing well
Oh, I forgot, I've got 8 each, of Ailsa Craig (large) and Gardeners Delight (small) tomato plants at an early stage, again my workmates will get some. I like to have a bit of choice for the best transplants without going crazy?

As a footnote, I don't have any garden so all my planting is done in pots, troughs, sacks, bins, even a baby bath, on a patio and paved areas.

Gerard

 

Doing well there Spider Its amazing what can be done even without a bit of ground.

 

Hi Gerard,

This all sounds good. I now have half my onions in the green house, 20 or so beetroots and cherry tomoatoes, will be planting some spring onion seeds and gardeners delight tomoatoes later today. Oh and 10 brussel sprouts are up as is one courgette and one cucumber so far. Like you garlic is in as well.

I was a bit late getting going last year and now keep panicking that I am too early lol Looks like it might be cloudy tonight so no frost, fingers crossed. My large rubarb that I inherited is sprouting away and the two strawberry plants I put in last year look good.

 

Courgette sounds early to me - unless you are very mild in South Wales?

 

Penny_Lane, sounds like you're on the same level as myself. I too was a bit late last year.
Good luck with your crops.
Gerard
Ps Kristen, courgette sounds good to me too.

 

Hi Kirsten,

It has been very mild here and I now have 5 lovely strong courgette plants, though I only really wanted a couple as OH doens't eat them. Might give one or two to my mother. We've not had frost here for ages, fingers crossed we don't again!

 

Thanks Spiderg. It seems most of my beetroots came up and I planted my onions out yesterday along with some straight into the plot.

The brussels sprouts and savoy cabbage seedlings seem to have been a bit munched by something in my greenhouse, slugs? So I am planting a few more just in case.

How's it going with you?

 

Hi
Sounds like you're in a better climate than us (Scotland), we're still getting cold nights, too cold to plant out yet. My stuff is coming along well, the beetroot is good. I have too much of everything but lucky for me my boss (also my mate) has just spent thousands on his garden and is in need of all my extras.

Going to make a couple of cold frames this weekend, having just watched Monty Don putting his beetroot in cold frames.

Happy gardening, keep us informed.

Gerard aka spiderg

 

Hi Gerard, yes it has been warm and mild at night here for a while, looks like temps of 20C today too :yess:

I've got fleece handy though in case things turn, hopefully not though as I've radishes coming up on the plot now, along with broad beans and onions, which I've just planted out. I remember last year was freezing at the time of the month!