[garddwr]

Could I start beetroot and carrot in the greenhouse ao it will be tidy when planting out and there will be no need for thining ?

Would it damage the crop ?

[richyrich7]

I've heard of some people doing it with beetroot, but to be honest I can't see the point.

[Knoblauch]

I've got both coming on fine that were started in cells - whenever I sow direct something eats it and it doesn't come up.

[Eristic]

I start beetroot of in the polytunnel with great success.

What is the point?
Advantages are rapid and controlled germination, fewer losses and more efficient use of available land. Beetroot transplants easily.

Not everyone has the luxury of super fine tilth soils ideal for direct sowing and if space is in short supply this method can save 4-6 weeks of land-use time to harvest.

[iwantanallotment]

Agreed with E above...mine start and finish in pots. Advantages as said - you can easily see what you've got to start with, ie what's germinated...and fewer losses to pests before they even get started  

[jazzbyrd]

does anyone start off parsnips indoors ? because I had a poor success rate doing them straight in the ground this year.

Jazzy

[senrab_nhoj]

does anyone start off parsnips indoors ? because I had a poor success rate doing them straight in the ground this year.

Jazzy

an oldtimer on my allotment uses toilet rolls to start his parsnips off in and then plants them out roll and all

[Bombers]

does anyone start off parsnips indoors ? because I had a poor success rate doing them straight in the ground this year.

Jazzy

an oldtimer on my allotment uses toilet rolls to start his parsnips off in and then plants them out roll and all

Jazzy
I did some of mine in Richy's paper pots this year. But, TBH I think those were caught up/overtaken, by the seeds I sowed directly.
I don't think I gained anything really. :?
I won't bother next year.

[Eristic]

Young beetroot growing in seed tray. Another week and they will be ready to plant outside.

[garddwr]

Young beetroot growing in seed tray. Another week and they will be ready to plant outside.

Thanks !
 
When was this ?

And does anyone do this with carrots ?

[matron]

I didn't know you could do beetroot this late.
When will you be harvesting?
Is it too late for me start off now?

[lincspoacher]

tried it with carrots recently, in modules, one seed in one cell. The gemination rate was far too spotty and random to make it worthwhile, only about 1/3 of the seeds germinated so i didnt have enough to make it worthwhile.

[cooperman]

carrot and especially parsnip seed is not totally viable ie for every 10 seeds you plant only 20/30% come up - so its not really an option for module sowing.  Thats why its best to thickly to sow direct....... as in most packets of these seeds you get thousands anyway....

[paintedlady]

I used the toilet roll idea this year for parsnips and I am really delighted with the results.  I used fresh seed (this is imperative - it doesn't remain viable for long so not much point using last year's seed) about 3-4 per roll.  Germination overall was very good and I thinned out the weakest, then planted the whole roll in the plot.  They are the best parsnips I've ever grown.  Many plotholders on my site have been saying they did several sowings directly in the soil with very poor results so I feel pretty smug at the moment  

I also tried sowing beetroot & chard in modules but although germination was good, replanting them out must have disturbed the roots and they took a while to recover compared to the "rubbish" I had left in the module awaiting the compost bin that went on to do better :roll:   So that's my lesson learned for 2008!

[cudders]

I plant my carrots in deep tubs now and leave them. They grow straight and thick. The ones planted in the ground were rubbish.. Same with parsnips they were poor. I will do the same with them also.

They dont transplant very well so leave in a deep tub and they'll be fine.

Cudders