Beetroot

[jollygardener70]

I have a number of beetroot which are coming along really well they have been in since around the beginning of March and the heads are looking good through the surface soil.

When can I pick them and the flip side is how long can they be left in the ground?

Thank you

Mr Jolly

[AntonyM]

You pick them when they are the size you want .... many people say they are at their best when they are golf-ball sized, but it's up to you. We have been harvesting ours for a few weeks now, 3 or 4 at a time. Personally I wouldn't let them get any bigger than a tennis ball.


They will eventually bolt and produce seed at which point the root will be woody and pretty inedible.

[rustylady]

Pick them as soon as you want to use them. If they've been in since March they should be well ready.

[VirginVegGrower]

Agree on golf ball sized. Cut to half an inch of top, bring to boil and then simmer for an hour. Leave to cool. Rub off skins gently, top and tail, slice or leave whole and jar in sweet pickling vinegar. Or eat as they are - not pickled.
Don't boil in anything else other than stainless steel/old saucepan as beetroot is a natural dye. My OH stained my 23 year old Le Creuset this year; he bought me a new one though as a replacement!
You should see the shoulders poking out of soil which gives indication of size. If not then run your finger gently down in the soil and around the globe.

[arpoet]

It seems as though we are having another bad year for beetroots. last year they failied to grow after being sown as seeds... This year i started em off in modules and planted out, but still they dont seem to want to swell up.
Not a happy bunny
Roger

[Bren In Pots]

Just cooked 5 beets in the pressure cooker 15 minutes and they're done.

[Gearoid]

I like to roast mine. Very tasty.

[rustylady]

Agree on golf ball sized. Cut to half an inch of top, bring to boil and then simmer for an hour.

Golf ball sized beetroot shouldn't need boiling for an hour. I harvest mine at tennis ball size and simmer for 20 minutes, then turn the heat off and leave to cool.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Pressure cooker is the biz for beetroot

[Bren In Pots]

I love my pressure cooker even bought a mini one to take camping

[lesleygl]

Has anyone tried cooking then freezing them, just wondered ?

[CaroltheCarrot]

And wear rubber gloves when you are peeling them!

[roitelet]

Has anyone tried cooking then freezing them, just wondered ?

Yes, The large ones freeze reasonably well, cooked and sliced. The small baby beets go soft and slimey. I find it better to put them in vinegar.

[BUFFS]

when you lift them,cook them and use them instead of tatties,their natural taste is fantastic,and it does bring some colour to the plate..

[VirginVegGrower]

Golf ball sized beetroot shouldn't need boiling for an hour. I harvest mine at tennis ball size and simmer for 20 minutes, then turn the heat off and leave to cool.

I don't boil for an hour - I simmer!