Beetroot

[Solitaire]

I was trawling throgh some gardening sites last night and they said I shoul have soaked my beetroot seeds before planting, but it did say that on the packet, also that beets shouldn't be planted in soil that is manured.

Have I ruined my beetroot crop ??

[Paulottie]

I don't soak my beetroot seed and have successful rows, it could help germination perhaps,( most larger seeds can be soaked) but then they all stick together making sowing a fag. As beetroot seed is infact a little cluster of seed they need to be sown at about one an inch to save endless thinning.

Recent manuring is more of a problem with long rooted beet, carrots and parsnips than round beet like 'Bolthardy'. They will tend to fork a bit... Unless you have plans for the showbench I'd not worry.

T'inqui�te pas tout vas bien!

[ann-the-nan]

Beetroot

Now there's a surprise! I never knew I was supposed to soak the seeds. Anywayup, mine are doing fine, my first sowing, and second sowing. You carry on sowing without soaking. I'm sure they will be OK.

[sweetiepea]

This is my first year growing beetroot, both at home and at DS's school. Didn't soak any of the seeds, and I've had no problems with germination in either sowing. They're all in the ground and seem to be doing fine.

[blackkitty]

Oops, does that mean all the beetroot I've sown for the last few years shouldn't have grown. I do water the bottom of the drill before chucking the seed in.

[gojiberry]

Sowed 102 in modules just over a week ago and only 5 haven't germinated and no soaking. So I think we can safely say that there is no need to soak beetroot seed.

Ian

[Alison]

No need what so ever to soak beetroot seed, it's one of the easiest to propogate and I can get nigh on 100% germination by just chucking it straight into the soil outside with no protection or special care.

[Solitaire]

Thanks everybody, I knew I could rely on the Grapes to give me the proper answer.