Harvesting Beetroot

[andyjm]

According to what I have read - beetroot should be pulled before they get larger than a cricket ball, but also beetroot for storage should not be harvested until October.

I wish to store most of my crop in sand over winter, a method that worked very well last year (some are still good).

But should I harvest now before they get much bigger (some already exceed cricket ball size) or should I wait til October.

Any advice gratefully received.

Andy

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Andyjm, welcome to the grapevine. The problem with beetroot is that if you leave it too long in the ground and allow it to grow too big it is not nice to eat. It goes past it. So if you think some of the beetroot is ready I would use it now.

[supersprout]

If you sow beetroot in succession - every three weeks or so - you'll be able to harvest them at their peak. Sow in August or September for overwinter storage

[clareg]

Hi,

I harvested all of mine a couple of weeks ago. They were about the size of a tennis ball and smaller (ping pong ball size). Boiled and sliced they were delicious, tasty and tender.

Clareg

[Shortie]

Cooo, very sporty beetroots these... cricket balls, tennis balls and ping pong balls!

[nick the grief]

It's when they are like rugby balls you have to worry Shortie

[supersprout]

Erm, I grow Forono which are like cylinders!

[pigletwillie]

try them hot with a dollop creme fraiche with a wee bit of horseradish mixed in, georgous.

[Jaxom]

Beetroot has been one of the big successes from the "square foot2 gardening this year.

[nick the grief]

Beetroot has been one of the big successes....

Struth Jax, you don't mean they were football sized do you

[Jaxom]

No just cricket balls
And before you ask Nick... I have no idea how large a crickets balls are.

[john.tate]

I am still growing my second crop of Beetroot "Forono", the first lot were between 12 to 14 inch's and 3 to 4inch's in diameter, the flaver was so good my grand kids took the most, so I will not let them know when this crop will be ready

[supersprout]

Hi John, went up to harvest yesterday and lo there were three of the aforesaid monster forono! I was concerned they'd be tough as old boots and woody but they're delicious - never let them grow so large before. They are my all time fave beetroot - have you seen some seed companies are changing forono for cylindra?

[dexterdoglancashire]

Well, I've been converted! I hate beetroot, or I should say, used to hate beetroot until tonight when I dug up a couple - cricket ball size I guess, but I don't play cricket/watch it or anything (would rather watch paint dry!) but I peeled them and them steamed then gently until they were cooked. Delicious! My OH was well impressed and he loves beetroot! Another success for my little venture into home grown veg! dexterdog

[Lesley Jay]

Dexterdog next time leave the skin on while you cook it. This gives you a better colour.