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Beetroot
Bettyslad
Posts: 28
in Fruit & veg
Hi It's been 92 days since my beetroot (Detroit variety) were sewn, therefore decided to pull one up to see if they were ready. However there was nothing, just some thin roots from the leaves. So disappointed as I thought they were coming along nicely. Can anyone tell me what may have happened?
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Posts
Crikey - you sowed early. I only started my first row last week and I'll do another in a couple of weeks and so on until about mid July. I preserve my excess crop for winter so it's not a lot of beetroot really. I would just leave the ones you have already sown to see if anything happens and sow another lot now. If you have had a lot of rain in the last 92 days and the beetroot is outside, then they may have made leaves at the expense of bulbs - this happens with too much watering.
Where abouts are you?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Only sowed my first lot the other day, will continue to succession sow until I have no space, or get sick.
I suspect lack of warmth and sunlight. They need both to thrive.
If you get nothing, you can eat the leaves in salads.
Good tip, Alina. I blanch the stems for about 30 seconds, then the leaves for about 10 seconds, drain and dry them them very well, toss them with some nice vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and P&S. Delicious.
Bettyslad - early Feb in your climate sounds optimistic in the extreme. I don't plant them here in central Italy until at least early April, and I suspect it's warmer here than where you are!