Beetroot

[FromYorkshiretoBucks]

Hey folks,

I sowed some beetroot in pots last summer and they didn’t do much apart from grow some leaves. I transferred them to a newly built raised bed last October where they have been ever since. Over the past few weeks, the leaves have grown crazy but I’ve just checked and there’s still not much to the roots.


is there anything I can do to promote growth in the roots at this point or do I call it a day and eat the leaves?

their space in the bed needs to be reallocated for the summer.

[MelanieSW]

If they haven't done anything by now, it sounds like they may be bolting. I would start again.

[Mr Bones]

Sounds like they were possibly started a little late in the season for the roots to swell FYtB. Like Melanie says it'd be best to start again. Ours first two batches are in the ground already.

[annie8]

Yes I think so too. The lesson I learned about beetroot from trying it over a few years was to make sure you water well in dry periods to encourage them to swell.

[ameno]

I don't think the lateness is the issue but the fact that they were grown in a pot. I've never had any luck with container beetroot. If you're lucky, you get three or four golf ball sized roots and a whole load of scrawny, unusable plants.
I sowed beetroot mid-July last year and I had good sized roots (varying from golf ball to tennis ball) by November. Admittedly I do live in the South West, so further north you may want to sow no later than late June.

[FromYorkshiretoBucks]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Looks like I’m having beetroot leaves for dinner tonight!!