[JayG]

I'm a newbie to growing beetroot but as an allegedly experienced grower of others things I sowed the seeds carefully, thinly, and evenly and after a slow start they are growing away quite nicely.

"You-know-whose" law has of course made a mockery of my efforts and some seedlings are growing virtually on top of each other, elsewhere there are gaps!

Can the thinnings be transplanted successfully? (variety is Chioggia Pink, by the way.)

 

[stompy]

Are they in cells or the ground?

[JayG]

In the ground.

My soil is very light and I'm sure they'll come out easily enough without damage; just a question of whether they will grow properly after being moved, I guess. 

[noshed]

They will be fine, just handle them gently by the leaves and water them in well. Make sure they don't dry out in the first week or so. I always water my seedlings with seaweed fertiliser or comfrey tea just to help them get over the shock but I'm not sure this makes that much difference.

[stompy]

The only way i could see it working is if you took some soil with them too, they dont transplant very well, especially in this warm weather.
The only other way is to start some in cells and fill the gaps that way.

[Salmo]

Why not just stick some seed in the gaps and keep them watered until they emerge?

[JayG]

Why not just stick some seed in the gaps and keep them watered until they emerge?

Just seems a shame to chuck away the thinnings if they can be used to fill the gaps. 

[m1ckz]

yes i transplanted last year 100% took well

[Cazzy]

Apparently beetroot seeds are actually little pods with several seeds in them, which is why you get them clumping on top of each other.

I've never grown them before either, just transplanted mine the other week and it didn't seem to bother them one bit.

[Trillium]

I used to thin mine, and yes, they will grow, but I found transplants never did as well as the ones that started in the ground. Now I simply leave them to grow and be sure to pull out the first larger ones so the remaining have a chance to grow on. It's not to late to stick in a few seeds into your empty spots for some baby beets later. You'll find in the warmer weather now that they'll sprout quickly.

[corynsboy]

Transplanted some bolt hardy beetroot thinnings last year.  They did stay pretty small.  I prefer my beetroot to stay under golf ball size so they were perfect. 

In an attempt to "dwarf" my beets this year I've grown them on in cells and transplanted again bare rooted (i.e. not in their compost cell).  First batch of 24 went in on Saturday evening, and on checking in on them last night, all look pretty good.  I've planted another 36 in very small cells and I'll do the same to them in a few weeks.

[starry]

I usually just fill the gaps and any that are clumped together I leave it dosent seem to make any difference to the beetroot a few odd shapes maybe but thats it I grow tons of it my husband is beetrrot crazy 

[1st time veg grower]

I transplanted mine last year with no problems had a decent crop, then due to slug damage had the same issue this year - large gaps and lots of clumps. So last week I transplanted those that were clumped into the gaps and again they are growing fine.

Seems it depends on whether you want large beets or not!

[mumofstig]

I'm sorry Jay a bit off topic  but can anybody recommend a good variety to grow big for roasting, don't care much for small beetroots in salad but I do like them roasted 

[DD.]

My Bolthardy have grown to 6" plus in the past. I don't like beetroot, but grow it for others. I've had repeat orders for these large ones boiled, sliced & pickled, so they obviously don't go woody!