Beetroot

A simple question.

Whats the best way to grow beetroot? My ones never come to anything, they just stay tiny or dont grow at all yet my other veg are great. Is there anything I need to do to the ground to make them grow well?

I love them and want good ones

 

We.ve grown beetroot for the last couple of years quite successfully, though I have no magic spells. I'd just keep watering them, particularly in dry spells. They don't like manure and I didn't feed them. Dig the ground over thoroughly and cross your fingers.

 

For the best beetroot sprinkle some salt in the drill before sowing.

 

Strange thing Sawfish, but beetroot is one of the easiest plants I find, to grow.

If your getting them to germinate then the only problem can be feeding or watering.

I dont feed as such, just some chicken pellets at sowing time, and I only water in drought conditions.
Thinning helps a lot, but I usually only do that when there are a few large enough to eat.

Funny thing about the salt David, I've heard that as well, but never tried it.
Sea salt I presume.:D

 

Thanks for all this info about Beetroot - I am about to try it for the first time. (Got some free seeds with Organic Gardening mag).

 

No, I usede to use table salt, Pete. I hate beetroot but used to grow for the wife, she always commented on the colour and flavour. She always liked the marrows I grew, until she found out how I used to " feed " them. But that`s another story.

 

great I'll try a wee bit of salt.

 

I wonder what would happen if you sprinkled salt on the rows after sowing? Wouldnt it just wash in to the seed anyway?

 

Ther`s one way to find out, Sawfish.:thumb:

 

Hello Sawfish
I've tracked you here from my post about home-made cloches. I was wondering about the variety of melons you grow because mine were a disaster. Bit more at my thread.
Thanks.

 

Isn't it beetroot that needs to be soaked before sowing?

 

Hi sawfish.

FWIW, I've had half decent ones the last few years. I soak the seeds overnight, then put them in pots in John Innes no1on the windowsill indoors around feb-march. When they get about 1" high they go in the G/H for hardening off, then outside in the soil. I haven't had bumper crops this way (there's lots I need to know about soil conditioning I suppose) but the germination bit is solved this way. :-)

I'm trying detroit beets this year, as well as some pink choggia. The latter are delicious with cooked and pickled in white wine vinegar with a smidge of peach brandy, sugar, some coriander seeds and a few drops of red cooking water from some regular beets. (Pink Choggia go a funny sort of white when cooked, so I cheat and put some pink back in ;-0 )

cheers,
Dave

 

You don`t need to soak beetroot, they will germinate just fine.

 

OK - that'll save a bit of time. Are there any rules or guidelines for which Veg seeds benefit from soaking? I haven't found anywere that mentions this.....

cheers,
Dave

 

To be honest, Dave, I wouldn`t soak any veg seed. As long as the ground is kept moist, there shouldn`t be a problem.:thumb: