Beetroot

[Aberdeenplotter]

some of the new varieties are monogerm, i.e.only one plant per seed so there isn't any need to thin with those varieties if seeds are sown at an appropriate distance. One thing to bear in mind with growing beetroot in modules and transplanting is that if intending to show the veg later, you are unlikely to be able to grow a plant with a single tap root.

Other than that, beetroot seedlings transplant very easily. If I have an uneven germination, I patch in the gaps with thinnings without problems.

[ladylottie]

I'm in the middle of planning everything for the new season and whilst reading a seed catalogue I saw that you can buy beetroot plants, I've also seen them before for sale at the local nursery etc. I've always been under the impression that beetroot was a "no transplant veg" i.e. grown in situ. Are these plants any good? Could I start my own beetroot off from seed in my greenhouse and then take them to my allotment when ready? This would possibly be an advantage to myself as I wouldn't need to thin any seedlings on the allotment. Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi. Yes it can be done.

I'd always direct sown beetroot until last year when I had a major op at the end of January and wanted to get on with seed sowing. So I sowed beetroot seeds in modules (3 per module I believe) and left them on the benches in my glass shed at the lottie (didn't have to bend down!). Later on I just transplanted the whole modules without any thinning into the soil. They did really well.

As Incy says, I wouldn't bother buying beetroot plants, you can do better growing them yourself.

[VirginVegGrower]

I sow four to a cell in modules (sounds like prison). Then when tall enough and hardened off they get planted out. Like multisown onions, they will push themselves apart. I had no problems.

[northepaul]

I planted mine out after growing in modules last year, and they did quite well....

[singleseeder]

Sowing in modules has another advantage. When you plant them out, the plantlets have a head start on the weeds. Hoe for a final time before you plant out.

When you sow seeds into the ground, they germinate and grow at roughly the same rate as the weeds.

[chefgage]

The last couple of years i have sown the seeds direct into the raised beds, but every
Time I always get big gaps where the seeds don't germinate. So this year i will be starting them off
In modules first

[Jelliebabe]

I sow a single seed into a small module approx size 1 1/2" square x 2" deep, thin the resulting seedlings to the strongest one and plant out when they start to get to big for the module.

Colin

I dun did that too! V good - didnt do enough though! Thats the only problemo!

[Bigmallly]

I've always sown beetroot in half loo rolls for that reason that they supposedley dont like to be transplanted, never had any probs as you just plant the loo roll.

[Florence Fennel]

I'm going to give the modules a try, I've not had much success with beetroot in the past.

[Two_Sheds]

Watch out for sparrows in early spring, they love ripping up the beet leaves (and peas too).

[veggiechicken]

Wish I had sparrows! Haven't had a house sparrow in the garden for years.

[Bren In Pots]

I always grow mine in modules because I don't have that much space so I don't want any wasted gaps.

[snakeshack]

I always sow mine in short rows straight into the ground,any gaps get filled in on a later sowing

[zazen999]

I start everything in modules except carrots and p*****ps; and I've now added Root Parsley to that list.

I am still eating beetroot from last year's sowing. The White type. Lovely.

[binley100]

I start early ones in looroll middles (cut in half) then bung the whole thing in the ground ........with later sowings straight in the ground.. as 2sheds has said they push themselves apart .
Will be trying this with swede as well this year .....