Article by David Marks
Our main beetroot article can be found here. But sometimes our readers ask specific questions which are not covered in the main article. This page lists their comments, questions and answers. At the end of this page there is also a form for you to submit any new question or comment you have.
| Date: 25 February 2017 |
From: Foz |
| QUESTION: I have a lot of beetroot in the that i left over winter without harvesting, are they safe to eat?
ANSWER: Yes they are safe to eat. I doubt however that the texture will be to your liking, the beetroot will be very fibrous. |
| Date: 26 Dec 2015 |
From: Not Given |
| QUESTION: Is it good to grow beetroot under shade?
ANSWER: Beetroot grow best in full sun. However they will also produce a good crop in partial shade, better than many other vegetables. For the best results in part shade, try starting them off in pots indoors and then plant them out (after hardening them off for a week) just after the last frost date for your area. |
| Date: 9 Oct 2015 |
From: Odion Owean |
| QUESTION: How do you harvest beetroot seed
ANSWER:
I’ve never tried is the answer! But you have inspired me to give it a try. Here are some key facts about saving beetroot seeds:
1. Beetroot are biennial, so beetroot sown in spring will normally produce seeds next year, not this year.
2. To produce seed, beetroot need to overwintered. Either in the ground or dug up, stored and then re-planted the next year. That depends on how cold winters are where you live.
3. They produce seeds on long stalks and the seeds are ready in summer when they turn brown. |
| Date: 28 June 2015 |
From: Margaret Douglas |
| QUESTION: Can I try sowing beetroot seed as late in the year as June?
ANSWER: Certainly, sow now and then again in mid July. The later sowings might not reach full size but they will be very tasty baby beetroot. |
| Date: 6 May 2015 |
From: Kisakye Esther |
| QUESTION: What is the correct spacing of beetroot? How many seedlings emerge from one seed of beetroot?
ANSWER: Thinning the seedlings is best done in two goes with the first thinning occurring when the seedlings have grown to about 1½cm / ½in tall. With beetroot seed each “seed pod” can actually
be three or four seeds and therefore two or thee seedlings are quite likely to emerge from each “seed pod”. Thin the seedlings to 2cm (¾in) apart.The timing of the second thinning is rather variable. We thin our beetroot for the second time when the plants are about 8cm / 3in high because at this stage the thinned plants will have micro beetroot roots which are deliciously sweet to eat. Whenever you thin them, leave the remaining beetroot 10cm / 4in apart. |
| Date: 30 August 14 |
From: Glynis Hughes |
QUESTION: Why have my beetroot got lots of foliage but no root to harvest?
What do you suggest is the problem and what can i feed them?ANSWER: See the section above on this very subject which has been added in response to your
question. |
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MAIN BEETROOT PAGE
COMMENTS / QUESTIONS LEFT BY OUR READERS
ANSWER: Yes they are safe to eat. I doubt however that the texture will be to your liking, the beetroot will be very fibrous.
ANSWER: Beetroot grow best in full sun. However they will also produce a good crop in partial shade, better than many other vegetables. For the best results in part shade, try starting them off in pots indoors and then plant them out (after hardening them off for a week) just after the last frost date for your area.
ANSWER:
I’ve never tried is the answer! But you have inspired me to give it a try. Here are some key facts about saving beetroot seeds:
1. Beetroot are biennial, so beetroot sown in spring will normally produce seeds next year, not this year.
2. To produce seed, beetroot need to overwintered. Either in the ground or dug up, stored and then re-planted the next year. That depends on how cold winters are where you live.
3. They produce seeds on long stalks and the seeds are ready in summer when they turn brown.
ANSWER: Certainly, sow now and then again in mid July. The later sowings might not reach full size but they will be very tasty baby beetroot.
ANSWER: Thinning the seedlings is best done in two goes with the first thinning occurring when the seedlings have grown to about 1½cm / ½in tall. With beetroot seed each “seed pod” can actually
be three or four seeds and therefore two or thee seedlings are quite likely to emerge from each “seed pod”. Thin the seedlings to 2cm (¾in) apart.The timing of the second thinning is rather variable. We thin our beetroot for the second time when the plants are about 8cm / 3in high because at this stage the thinned plants will have micro beetroot roots which are deliciously sweet to eat. Whenever you thin them, leave the remaining beetroot 10cm / 4in apart.
What do you suggest is the problem and what can i feed them?ANSWER: See the section above on this very subject which has been added in response to your
question.
WHY NOT LEAVE YOUR QUESTION / COMMENTS
ABOUT THIS PAGE?
ENTER THEM BELOW. EMAIL ADDRESS IS OPTIONAL.
YOUR COMMENTS WILL BE ADDED ABOVE WITHIN A FEW HOURS.
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