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Good morning everyone

DeeWestDeeWest Posts: 39

Just come across this site on Twitter what a great place.

I have 2 questions, I hope you don't all think I'm a complete idiot image

1. I want to grow beetroot, so (stupidest question ever), will it be nice and juicy (like it is when bought from the supermarket), when I harvest and peel it? Pics look dry? How do you make it go all juicy?

2. I have 2 fuchsias which have look like they are dying because of the hot weather the past two days (I watered them both early morning both days). The leaves are crispy, the flowers too. Will they be ok? Should I increased the water?

Many thanks!

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618

    Generally boiled beetroot is juicy. There is plenty of juice in a raw beetroot if you are juicing.

    Your fuchsias sound like they are suffering. if they are in a pot, put the pots in a shady area until this heatwave has passed. If they are in the ground, place a large sheet of newspaper over them as a shade. Water twice a day, morning and evening.

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    Home grown beetroot is lovely so go ahead but make sure you pick it when no more than tennis ball size.   The fresh young foliage is great in salads or quickly wilted in a bit of butter with s&p.  Much nicer than spinach for me.

    Except for the one with fine flowers that can be grown as hedges in milder places in the UK, fuchsias don't like full sun so move yours to the shade or partial shade and keep well watered in hot spells.  I grow mine in troughs, pots and hanging baskets on the north wall of my house so they get full sun from about 3pm and do very well as long as I don't let them dry out.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • DeeWestDeeWest Posts: 39

    Thats great thank you fidgetbones and obelixx.

    Ok I'll go ahead with the beetroot, I'm quite excited as I've only ever grown herbs and tomatoes before. I read online that you can sow them now, is that true? Seems a bit late? If I sow them now, when can I harvest them?

    And thanks about the fuchsias, I swear on the plants when I got them it said full sun so I didnt want to put them in a partly shaded area. But yes they are in pots so I will move them. Such a shame Ive been looking forward to their flowers since March and now they are all just shrivelling up.

    Once again thanks so much for you help

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    You still have tile to sow some beetroot in the next few days either in a well prepared drill in teh veg plot or in module trays.  I prefer the latter method as it gives me more control and keeps the seedlings away from slugs.  Plant out the modules in row leaving a few inches of space between to get through with a hoe to keep down weeds.

    You'll find some helpful advice on cultivation here - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/vegetables/beetroot 

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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