When to harvest "Pronto" beetroot?

[veggiewomble]

Planting beetroot for the first time. I got the "Pronto Speedy variety" and planted the seeds in late May. Now the leaves are fairly large and I am wondering - when is it time to harvest???

The leaves aren't that large compared to the beetroot I buy in the farmer's market.... but they do look as big as the leaves in the picture on this website:
Suttons Seeds: Speedy Seeds: Beetroot Pronto Speedy Seeds

I have no idea how large the beetroot actually are.. a bit tempted to dig around and find out!

Any guidelines?

vegwomble

[Demeter]

The seed info says 6-12 weeks, and with the coolish summer we've been having I would guess it's going to be too early after only 6 weeks.

Our beetroot is clearly visible above the soil - if you look at the base of the plant, you can see the swelling roots pushing a little bit out of the ground. If you can't see anything like that, I reckon they aren't ready yet, although you could always have a gentle furtle I suppose

[veggiewomble]

Thanks.
I did poke around a bit under one which I thought, had large enough leaves. I had no idea how deeply to dig around it, but I found... nothing!! :P I guess it needs to sit in there for another 6 weeks, the way things are going....

On the other hand, I'm harvesting my third courgette!

vw

[Two_Sheds]

If you found nothing ... then it ain't ready yet.
Beetroot tends to push itself up out of the soil when it's grown. I bought some Pronto seeds but didn't get round to sowing them yet. I am loving Cylindra though ... very fast, tasty, isn't bolting, and best of all ~ it's easier to peel than a round beetroot.Dobies: Beetroot Cylindra Seeds: Excellent for slicing!