Note to self - In 2018 I made a note to myself not to buy anymore Beetroot seeds in the Wyevale sale for the next two years, you don't need them, or at least if you do then don't buy so many packs, be selective just go for the Boltardy unless you happen upon different coloured say yellow beetroots! and make sure they have a Sow by date of at least 2021.
in 2018 at 10p a pack from Poundland I could not resist and bought 2 packs of Globe 2 (100 seeds per pack). I also could not resist a couple of cheap packs from Wilko at 25p a pack and then when they dropped to 10p a pack, well it would be rude not to buy a few more now wouldn't it?
In 2019 there was no Wyevale 50p Sale as they have been bought out by another company and I didn't get anything from Wilko which means no more packs of seeds? Due to my leg injury in 2019 I had help sowing 105 directly into a bed, the variety was in date but very few germinated and even less actually grew, and those that did I let get too large and woody and they ended up as compost fodder.
In 2019 there was no Wyevale 50p Sale as they have been bought out by another company and I didn't get anything from Wilko which means no more packs of seeds? Due to my leg injury in 2019 I had help sowing 105 directly into a bed, the variety was in date but very few germinated and even less actually grew, and those that did I let get too large and woody and they ended up as compost fodder.
In 2020 the allotment didn't happen and I spent 5 months shielding my wife against Covid-19, come the 2nd wave I will be getting exercise and some much needed mental therapy on the plot as being on the plot is no different than being in the back garden as long as you sanitise your hands once you have touched the padlock and gate or the taps.
In 2021 back to starting them off in modules or plug plants and successive sowings so that I can pickle in small batches.
In 2021 back to starting them off in modules or plug plants and successive sowings so that I can pickle in small batches.
Review Of Seed Stocks in Zippy Bags
No seeds at the start of 2020
Pre 2020 Seeds
As I have far too many packs of beetroot seeds and a good number only a year past their best sow by date I'm going to offer my 2018 - 2019 Seeds to the new plot holders on the allotment.
The reality is that there is only a 2-3 year life expectancy on the backs of the packs, as the germination rates will gradually decline with age, but the reality is that Beetroot seeds kept in good storage can last anything from 6 -10 years.
Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow By 2020
Boltardy - 275 Seeds - £1.50 - Johnsons - Sow By 10/2020
Detroit 2 - 300 Seeds - £2.29 - Thompson & Morgan - Sow By 2020
Globe 2 - 200 Seeds - £0-20 - Carters - Sow By 2020
Globe 2 - 200 Seeds - £0-20 - Carters - Sow By 2020
Moneta - 150 Seeds - £2.99 - Thompson & Morgan - Sow By 2020
Red Ace F1 - 150 Seeds - £2.69 - Thompson & Morgan - Sow By 12/2020
Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow By 2021
Cylindra - 150 Seeds - £0.25 - Wilko - Sow By 2021
Cylindra - 150 Seeds - £0.25 - Wilko - Sow By 2021
Cylindra - 150 Seeds - £0.25 - Wilko - Sow By 2021
Cylindra - 150 Seeds - £0.25 - Wilko - Sow By 2021
Cylindra - 150 Seeds - £0.25 - Wilko - Sow By 2021
Cylindra - 150 Seeds - £0.25 - Wilko - Sow By 2021
Moneta - 15 Seeds - GYO mag - T&M National Trust - Sow by 09/2021
A couple of packs bought at 25p and 4 more picked up when 10p pack in the sale
Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow By 2022
Boltardy - Not stated - Price B - B&Q Verve - Sow By 2022
Boltardy - Not stated - Price B - B&Q Verve - Sow By 2022
Boltardy - 275 Seeds - £1.30 - Kings Seeds - Sow By 2022 - Kitchen Garden Mag
Sugar Salad Mix - 170 Seeds - £2.99 - Marshalls - Sow By 2022
Sugar Salad Mix - 170 Seeds - £2.99 - Marshalls - Sow By 2022
Review Of Seed Stocks in Packets Sow By 2023
Kornett - 150 Seeds - £2.15 - Mr Fothergill's - Sow By 2023
Alphabetical Listing of all the varieties that I have grown in the last few years.
Sowing Harvest
Action F1 Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Alto F1 Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Bettollo F1 Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Boltardy Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Cardeal F1 Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Cylindra Apr - Jul Jul - Oct
Detroit 2 Apr - Jul Jun - Oct
Detroit 6 Rubidus Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Globe 2 Apr - Jul Jul - Oct
Kestrel Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Kornet Apr - Jul Jul - Oct
Moneta Mar - Jul Jul - Oct
Pablo F1 Apr - Jul Jun - Onwards
Perfect 3 Apr - Jul Jun - Oct
Red Ace F1 Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Solo Mar - Jul Jun - Oct
Wodan F1 Apr - Jul Jun - Onwards
Boltardy is one of the best beetroots and a gardeners favourite. Good quality, globe shaped , dark-red, well flavoured roots up to 100mm (4") across, and the variety that I normally go for however the Wyevale 50p seed sale is responsible not only for the amount of packs I have in the seed box but also the various varieties.
Altro is a Hybrid cylindrical beetroot that produces straight roots that stand proud above the soil, but can be earthed up keeping in good condition for longer periods, and will produce more consistent diameter slices for pickling and that is what attracted me to pack when I bought it. This was also why I bought six packs of Cylindra from Wilko as they are only 25p a pack and were dropped to 10p a pack in the end of season sale.
Sugar Salad Mix - Marshalls (Red, White and Orange) will be grown in the Square Foot Gardening Beds in 2021
New! Beetroot Kornett - Mr Fothergill's but the web site says "A previous favourite which is now back!" Very productive, this dependable ‘Detroit’ type is easy to grow and versatile. Roots are sweet and firm and can be lifted as baby beets when young or left to mature. An excellent source of folate and good source of potassium. I'm going to grow these in the square foot garden beds this year.
With no beetroots grown or pickled in 2020 due to Covid-19 and shielding my wife I'm looking at sequential sowing a third of a bed at a time with Cylindra in March, April, May, June & July so that I get smaller amounts in batches to pickle and bottle. The shape of the variety makes it ideal for pickling I just hope the taste is as good as Boltardy.
Something I have not done before but will be doing this year is harvesting the leaves for salads.
When To Plant
Beets are fairly frost hardy and can be planted in the garden 30 days before the frost-free date for your area. Although beets grow well during warm weather, the seedlings are established more easily under cool, moist conditions. Start successive plantings at 3 to 4 week intervals until midsummer for a continuous supply of fresh, tender, young beets. Irrigation assures germination and establishment of the later plantings.
Dates based on guidance from Garden Focused based on the last frost date for Sutton Surrey of the last week in April, suggests Beetroots are sown in the 4th week of March. BUT that is assuming sowing directly in the ground, and as I will be starting off the beetroots in the Space Saver garden or allotment greenhouse I intend to sow a couple of trays earlier in 2021 in say the 1st or 2nd week of March. I may even try some early in the ground under a cloche, it's not as if I don't have enough seeds!
Care
Frequent shallow cultivation is important because beets compete poorly with weeds, especially when small. Because beets have extremely shallow roots, hand weeding and early, frequent and shallow cultivation are the most effective methods of controlling weeds in the rows. Deep cultivation after the weeds are large damages the beet roots. Like most root crops, beets need a fertile soil (especially high in potassium) for vigorous growth. Keep your beet plants uniformly supplied with moisture for best performance.
Harvesting
Beets can be harvested whenever they grow to the desired size. About 60 days are required for beets to reach 1 1/2 inches in diameter, the size often used for cooking, pickling or canning as whole beets. Beets enlarge rapidly to 3 inches with adequate moisture and space. With most varieties, beets larger than 3 inches may become tough and fibrous. Beets may be stored in a polyethylene bag in a refrigerator for several weeks. Beets also may be stored in outdoor pits if the beets are dug before the ground freezes in the fall. Cut off the tops of the beets one inch above the roots. Beets store best at 32°F and 95 percent humidity. Do not allow them to freeze
Beets are fairly frost hardy and can be planted in the garden 30 days before the frost-free date for your area. Although beets grow well during warm weather, the seedlings are established more easily under cool, moist conditions. Start successive plantings at 3 to 4 week intervals until midsummer for a continuous supply of fresh, tender, young beets. Irrigation assures germination and establishment of the later plantings.
Dates based on guidance from Garden Focused based on the last frost date for Sutton Surrey of the last week in April, suggests Beetroots are sown in the 4th week of March. BUT that is assuming sowing directly in the ground, and as I will be starting off the beetroots in the Space Saver garden or allotment greenhouse I intend to sow a couple of trays earlier in 2021 in say the 1st or 2nd week of March. I may even try some early in the ground under a cloche, it's not as if I don't have enough seeds!
Care
Frequent shallow cultivation is important because beets compete poorly with weeds, especially when small. Because beets have extremely shallow roots, hand weeding and early, frequent and shallow cultivation are the most effective methods of controlling weeds in the rows. Deep cultivation after the weeds are large damages the beet roots. Like most root crops, beets need a fertile soil (especially high in potassium) for vigorous growth. Keep your beet plants uniformly supplied with moisture for best performance.
Harvesting
Beets can be harvested whenever they grow to the desired size. About 60 days are required for beets to reach 1 1/2 inches in diameter, the size often used for cooking, pickling or canning as whole beets. Beets enlarge rapidly to 3 inches with adequate moisture and space. With most varieties, beets larger than 3 inches may become tough and fibrous. Beets may be stored in a polyethylene bag in a refrigerator for several weeks. Beets also may be stored in outdoor pits if the beets are dug before the ground freezes in the fall. Cut off the tops of the beets one inch above the roots. Beets store best at 32°F and 95 percent humidity. Do not allow them to freeze
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