Grow Your Own Magazine

Hello

I planted beetroot (bolthardy) and turnip (purple topped Milan) in modules & transplanted them into the veg patch a good while ago now. They all looked a little leggy but i thought i'd stick them in & see how they faired. Well, i've harvested the first of the turnips already and they are a little bigger than golfball sized (and delish!) but the beetroot still have tiny leaves, and roots about as thick as a pipe cleaner - if that. Do i pull 'em up & bung 'em on the compost heap & use the space for my brocolli plants that are in need of a space or am i being a bit harsh? I thought they were supposed to be quick growing so expected a bit more from them by now.

Many thanks,

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Newbie,
keen but clueless

Mine have done the same, I'm just leaving my beetroots to see what happens

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Its an addiction and a pleasure

I'd leave them be - do they need watering more???( well...it might have rained a lot, but they may not of had enough directly!!)

Beetroot can stand light frosts - so you see there's plenty of time for them to swell

I'd leave them too. Mine we're looking a bit pathetic until a week or so ago. You could thin them out abit (use the baby leaves in a salad). That will encourage them to bulk up a bit, and you could give them a bit of a feed. It all helps.

I to would just leave them,plenty of grow time yet,the last 2 years i have left some standing in the ground all winter,no protection,whilst they did'nt really grow any and the skin toughens up a bit,they are perfectly alright to cook and eat up till about march time,wonder what they like if had some protection,

OK, so they'll get a second chance then! Thanks guys!

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Newbie,
keen but clueless

I sowed some beet into modules and transplanted, and some direct into the ground. Without doubt, the direct-sown have done much better. I guess they don't like being transplanted.

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

Im on my second round of beet. not that i harvested the first lot. i killed them. But at least this time im hoping i sowed them a little better and learnt from sowing so closley. i had to thin them out that much i might as well of grown them for salsd leaves. so i'll be keeping an eye out for what happen to yours.