Celebrity Twit

[Waffler]

I just have memories of my Dad having this 'stuff' in his sandwiches and it turning the bread pink! There are very few things I dislike, but beetroot has always been one of them (in fact I'd go as far as not eating a lettuce leaf that has been 'contaminated'), but I think you're right: it's the vinegary stuff I detest. When we moved in to our house September 05 the guy before us had left beetroot growing (amongst other things), so we had to use it. OH loves the stuff, but never has it because I don't buy it and he wouldn't ever think to. I gave some to Dad when they visited or we went to them, but rather than giving it all away, I did roast it a few times, and was pleasantly surprised.
Maybe next year I'll grow a short row for interests sake. Any particular recommendations as far as flavour etc. goes?

[dexterdoglancashire]

The ones I grew this year were the basic B&Q variety in the multi-packet - the variety was "boltardy".
I've had so many excellent veg from the basic variety packet - think it was well worth it!
Now my tastes (and knowledge!) are getting more "tuned" am trying different varieties!
Would recommend the B&Q seeds for someone starting out who hadnt got a lot of £ to spare.
DDL

[kirsty b]

How long does it take for beetroot to germinate? I tried to grow somw among the flowers in my front garden this year but I never found any seedlings so not sure if I did it wrong. I love beetroot pickled, but never tried it roasted. Can you put it straight in the oven, or does it need parboiling first?

Kirsty

[Earthbabe]

Beetroot for roasting can go straight in the oven. Just cut of the leaves and trim the "root" or tail end. If they are particularly large it can be worth cutting them up but smaller ones roasted whole are sumptuous. I'll deffo be growing some again this year, missed out last year.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Kirsty - this being my first year growing veg, don't know if I was right or wrong, but I planted my beetroot seeds in trays first, then put them in my newspaper pots until they were a decent size, then transplanted them into the ground - and they did really well.
I know that some veg you have to plant straight into the ground because they don't like their roots disturbed, but think because mine were in newspaper pots which then disintegrated into the ground they were OK. Hope this helps. DDL

[Alison]

Apparently when my mum and dad first had their own place, my mum planted beetroot in seed trays there first time she grew it and transplanted it out into the garden - much to the amusement of my grandad who told her that you shouldn't transplant it for the reasons given by DDL above, apparently you're meant to plant it in the ground and thin out as required as with carrotts. She had the last laugh though as I'm told (admitedly by my mum) that it all grew and they had a bumper crop - probably just another case of perceived knowledge not always being the only way. That said, any avoidance of transplanting is always good in my book!

[kirsty b]

Thanks to you all, Earthbabe, DDL and Alison. I'll keep your advice in mind for next years growing plans.

[lyndap]

I've tried various beetroots but 'bolthardy' is def my favorite.Eat it roasted or boiled,hot or cold and with the good crop I had this year my stepdad is making beetroot wine!

[multiveg]

Have seen beetroot seedlings for sale in polystyrene trays at garden centres.

[jimbo]

tesco will tell him what to eat.
jimbo/

[rustylady]

Apparently when my mum and dad first had their own place, my mum planted beetroot in seed trays there first time she grew it and transplanted it out into the garden - much to the amusement of my grandad who told her that you shouldn't transplant it for the reasons given by DDL above, apparently you're meant to plant it in the ground and thin out as required as with carrotts. She had the last laugh though as I'm told (admitedly by my mum) that it all grew and they had a bumper crop - probably just another case of perceived knowledge not always being the only way. That said, any avoidance of transplanting is always good in my book!

Seed trays may be a bit iffy cos of root disturbance, but I've had really good results using trays divided into cells. You can just pop the whole thing out and transplant. Not tried carrots, but most things work OK.

GOOD WAY TO PRODUCE BONSAI - plant things in cell trays and forget about them - perfect miniature plants if they don't die through lack of water. Sorry!!!