saving Beetroot seed

[Two_Sheds]

Well, my project for this year is to save my own beetroot seed (I already save my own bean seeds, but they're really easy).

I had some wonderful Cylindra beets from a swap, and didn't harvest them all ... the roots are now massive, so rather than compost them, I will let them flower and seed.

I cribbed this from How To Save Seed

Beetroot, leaf beet/perpetual spinach, swiss chard & sugar beet are all members of the same family & will cross readily. All types of beet will cross with one another, and since the flowers are wind pollinated, crossing can take place with any other flowering beet plants within around 2 miles. They are biennial, and flower in their 2nd year.

If you are aiming to keep a variety true to type you need to isolate it, usually by physically covering your seed plants. To do this, plant at least 6 plants very close together in a circle, with a wooden stake in the middle.
As the seed stalks form, growing up to 4 feet tall, tie them together, supported by the stake. Then as they develop cover the group of flower heads with either a shiny paper bag that will withstand rain, or a bag made out of agricultural fleece. Shake the bag from time to time to make sure that pollen is distributed within the bag.

As the large, prickly seeds mature, keep an eye on them, and start to harvest as they turn brown and start to dry out. You can either cut entire seedstalks, or harvest mature seeds by rubbing them into a bucket. Make sure that the seeds are thoroughly dry before storage, and they should last at least 5 years.

[lottie dolly]

thank you two sheds,i am also going to try this,i have really big ones down the lottie,and thought,mm seeds,so your thead is great to read,although i not got anything else to cross polinate at the mo,i bet others have,so need to be aware,i WAS,going to just leave them to do their think,so you saved the day,hum year,thanks.