Beetroot trouble

You're keeping them damp right? 

I,ve done "Boltardy" variety this year with 100% success. I was told this was the best type to go for.

Some say soak the seeds overnight first however I just planted and up they came.

My first sowing of beetroot have just sat in the ground and done virtually nothing, second sowing are coming on fine.  I think it could possibly be that the ground was so cold when the first lot were sown although past the frosts.  Both rows were watered the same and growmore put on before planting, the soil is good and the seed from the same packet, so that is the only conclusion I can draw.