Root veg issue

[SeedlingStudent]

Really this is my first year really trying to grow things, I've bought packets of seeds including roots veggies, such as turnips, carrots, beetroots I've planted these in small propagators because this is what the packs said however reading online you're not supposed to transplant root veggies, correct? So have I wasted time and money here? There starting to grow but they can't stay in shallow trays forever what do I do?! Can I manage to save them ???

[Darwin.]

Well I'm a complete novice, only been growing veg for a few years so I don't claim to know much. This is my first year really growing from seed, before this I bought everything in little containers then planted them out and they grew fine. If you're not supposed to do it then why would garden centres sell them that way?

[SeedlingStudent]

I don't know I just keep reading things that say you're not supposed to transplant root vegetables as it leads to a poor crop?! Perhaps I'm wrong just don't really know what I'm doing if I'm being honest :/

[veggiechicken]

Hi SS and welcome! I usually start beetroot in modules and plant them out later but long rooted veg like carrots and parsnips really need the depth of soil to grow straight. If the root hits the bottom of the tray it will grow sideways and be deformed.
So a lot depends on what you have sown and how long ago!!

[Linnea]

Transplanting root veggies sometimes means you break the root which then means you either don't get a crop or you get a crop that is oddly shaped as the plant replaces the broken root.
if you transplant them without any root disturbance you should be ok


oops! too slow.
what VC said

[Darwin.]

I've never been able to grow carrots, now I know why. I'll plant those straight out this year.

[SeedlingStudent]

I planted them all on the 14th feb, a little earlier than it said but still, I have the seed packs here they are

Beetroot (boltardy)
Carrot (early Nantes)
Turnip (snowball)

What should I do, wait for them to get a little bigger and try my best to transplant them? :/

[SeedlingStudent]

Carrots where I big one for me, I use them a lot and I have horses that would highly appreciate them so think I will by more of those and plant them out also

[Bigmallly]

Quite a few grapes grow beetroot in modules then pot them on as they grow. I personally grow them in half loo roll tubes then just plant the tube. It's my first year for turnips & they are in modules. Carrots need to be sown directly where they are to be grown.......I would bin the carrots but keep the beets & nips going................Sorry, where are my manners.........welcome to the vine.

[SeedlingStudent]

Thanks for the advice, I think joining up to here was a good move, as much as I love trying to grow things I really don't know what I'm doing nor do I know anyone who does, however I'm confused as to why they sell carrot seeds with mini propagator in a set, probably cause idiots like me buy them

[veggiechicken]

There are small, round carrots that can be grown in pots but its really not worth trying to start them in a little tray. Use that for lettuce or something

[out in the cold]

We transplanted carrots last year, much to the amazement if everyone that has ever gardened.

They were strange shapes and some were even humorously shaped, but they tasted ok.

As people more experinced than me have said, they will definitely not be straight

[Linzy]

Really gently pull them apart when they are abit bigger and hae a root. Gently make a hole in the ground with a pencil pop the seedling in sprinkle bit of compost to fill up hole. Give a good water and Taaadaaa your seedlings will no longer be in tray but in the ground. They should be fine might not get as big as if you planted straight into the soil. Plus you can grow carrots and beetroot in pots aswell so they should be fine. Jut try not to damage the root.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Beetroot will transplant fine although you may get more than a single tap root. Carrots grow really well even if transplanted but you stand more than a fair chance of getting multirooted specimens which are not suitable even for the kitchen. Turnips/swedes will transplant ok but if they have been allowed to drt out in shallow trats, they are likely to bolt. My advice, resow the turnips and carrots directly in to the ground .

[Two_Sheds]

I bought everything in little containers then planted them out and they grew fine.

Even carrots? Really?

planted them all on the 14th feb, a little earlier than it said

So you didn't follow the instructions? !

Carrots need warm soil, which means after April, outside.

Vegetables with a tap root (carrots, parsnips, scorzonera, etc) need to grow straight down, without stopping. If they stop, or hit something (like a stone, or the bottom of a seed tray), the root bends or splits. You'll get some comical shapes, but nothing useful for eating