Beetroot 'Derwent Globe'

by Darren Collins
Sunday, 11 November 2001

Beetroot are excellent steamed for about an hour with their skin on - it peels off easily once they're cooked. If you've only ever tasted canned beetroot, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the flavour of the fresh stuff.

Beetroot 'Derwent Globe'. A rich red, globe-shaped root. Flesh is tender and sweet. Ideal Summer and Winter vegetable.

Sow: Each 'seed' is a cluster of 1-4 true seeds in a corky base. Soak for two hours before sowing to ensure water reaches the seeds. Sowing in trays of Yates Seed Raising Mix will allow all seedlings from each cluster to be transplanted later.

Care: Transplant when 3-5cm tall into a sunny well-drained position. Apply Yates Thrive Soluble Fertiliser occasionally and keep seedlings well watered. Obtain continuous supply by successive sowings.

Germination: 10-14 days.

Harvest: 10-12 weeks.

18 Nov 2001: When I checked today, the seeds were just starting to sprout out of the seed raising mix. They'll be ready to prick out soon.

11 Nov 2001: I soaked the beetroot seeds in water for two hours before planting them out into the sand/coir box.