Beetroot advice

[Baldy]

I've not really tried with beetroot but think I might give it a proper go next year.
Plot neighbour gave me some of the beets she'd grown and I was really impressed with the sweetness even though they were cannonball size. Think hers were 'boltardy'
Any advice as to varieties and growing tips? As I recall when I tried growing some a fair few years ago they looked ok but were very woody and had a lot of slug damage...

[Scarlet]

If they were woody you left them too long. I like to pick my beets young. I've given up on the fancy striped ones - chilg gia and yellow etc. this year I think mine were bolthardy and Detroit. I also grew flat Egyptian (??? ..I think) and I always grow a cyclindrical one for pickling.

They are easy to germinate, you can sow direct but I often start mine in modules and plant out. If you start early undercover you can get an early start then sow direct when the weather warms up for a second crop.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Yup, lift them no bigger than tennis ball size. I grow red ace. Uniform, lovely colour and tasty

[Cadalot]

I normally start the beetroots off in the greenhouse in vending machine cups, this year will be a two pronged attack as I have four packs of seed tapes. 2016 seed will go into the green house and the 2017 seed tapes directly into the beds.Successional sowing will take place, in a third of a bed length every 3 - 4 weeks so that they can be harvested and pickled in batches. I'm also having two 2.4 x1.2m beds worth.

[Greenleaves]

I have tried various types but find Cylindra grow best for me, I sow direct and thin as needed

[sparrow100]

I can't sow direct cos slugs and sparrows leave me none.

I grow Egyption, Detroit, Chioggia, Touchstone Gold and Crapaudine. All lovely.

[Nicos]

I grow bolthardy and cylindra. The latter are cylindrical....hence the name , as so slice into even rings.
The baby leaves are delish to eat in salads too!
I'm another 'sow direct into the ground' person, however I tend to sow in rows after the last frosts at the same time as carrots and Spring onions and radish. All under a piece of fleece.

[bario1]

I've given up on the fancy striped ones - chilg gia and yellow etc.

I don't think they taste as good, and they're less reliable, but I still grow a row each of Chioggia (striped) and Boldor (golden), just because they look so great mandolined into salads.

[Mr Bones]

Another cylindra fan here, I find they stay cleaner with growing up out the ground. Started off the year with some in modules and direct sowed more later. Transplanted the thinnings from the direct bed so we've had a constant supply all season and are still picking them. Even the larger ones are tender and sweet enough to eat raw.