Beetroot & Shallots in modules (Monty Don)

I tried Monty's method with both vegetables over the last two seasons with great sucess, so I thought members might like to see the link (again)


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00flzlx


a-a

 

Ta for that, it'll be good to get going on the lottie!

 

I will start my beetroot off this way this year.

Rusty

 

I sow my beetroot 3 or 4 in a 3" pot, and plant out "as a clump" so that thinnings then leave one to grow larger later in the season.

IIRC Monty was growing one-per-module? which I think is more work / space required?

 

Monty was sowing a small clump per module, i.e. 3 or 4 seedlings and was going to allow them all to grow to golfball size before harvesting. Personally, I'd rather have tennis ball sized roots, less fiddly peeling.

Can you eat beetroot skin, I'm not a great one for peeling? I usually buy them in the longlife packs. I'll get my coat.

 

Ah yes, I remember now. Thanks.

The 3" pot route lets you sow them further apart, I guess, so more chance of them getting bigger before needing thinning. I prick mine out ... Beetroot seed produces multiple seedlings from each seed, so if sowing several seeds per module risk you get a Beetroot-forest I would think?!!

 

Monty didn't mention that. The seeds do look like a conglomerate, now I think about it.

 

Can always snip the excess off ... no more fiddly than pricking out I expect?