Your comments and tips

02 Aug 16, Feras (Australia - temperate climate)

Check out the NPK on the fertiliser, something high in N will produce plenty of green leafy growth but no root/vegetable production. Pick the right fertiliser for the right plant ;)

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06 Apr 16, Ben (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi, i have not had to much success with my beets... i have only had around 3 germinate out of about 20 seeds. Can you please advise if i should put a few seed clusters into the 1 hole? i have been only sowing 1 seed cluster per hole so far, but this is not giving me a good success rate. Also, with the soaking of the seed cluster, should i break it open after the 24hrs and remove the seeds to sow individually or should i leave the cluster intact and sow? any advise would be great as the beets are my flavor haven! Regards Ben

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13 Apr 16, Bob Dobbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

".... planting into a hole ....", I presume, therefore, that you are planting your seed straight into your garden bed. I do not know why you are getting uneven germination but to save you time and worry - you could plant your seeds into punnets or into a seed tray. Once the seeds have germinated (even if there is still uneven germination) and formed into seedlings, you could then transplant the good seedlings into your garden bed. This way you will have a 100% planting coverage in your garden bed without any gaps. All the best, Bob.

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15 Apr 16, Ben (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Bob, thanks for the reply! Yes, I am sowing direct into the garden, i am trying to steer clear of using punnets / trays and purely want to direct sow... would you recommend sowing more than 1 cluster per hole (direct)? is this just wasting seeds to do more than 1 per hole? Regards Ben

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18 Apr 16, Bob Dobbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Ben, You can certainly sow more than one seed cluster per hole if you like. There is no harm done in doing this, provided you leave only one plant per hole once they germinate. I would recommend just snipping out the extra seedlings (and throwing them away) rather than trying to ease them out for replanting elsewhere. This way the seedling left standing will not be damaged in any way. Seeds are cheap enough to do this. All the best, Bob.

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01 Jul 16, Sally Su (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi to Bob & Ben, When you thin out your beetroot seedlings, you dont have to throw the extra seedlings away, you can actually eat them. Young plants have a higher percentage of nutrients than older plants. So next time you think of thinning, toss those extra beet leaves, stalks and the pencil lead thin beetroot into a salad or in a sandwich. You can even steam or cook them and have with any meal you would like. If you dont want to eat them, the worms in the compost can enjoy them instead. Happy gardening, Sally Su

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31 Mar 16, Lubowa kintu (Australia - arid climate)

Can beetroot be grown in East Africa, particularly in Uganda?

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13 Apr 16, Bob Dobbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Yes, beetroot can very definitely be grown in Uganda. I grew up in Sri Lanka, which has a similar climate to Uganda in many ways - and beetroot was, and is, very popular there. All the best, Bob.

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09 Mar 16, Mickey (Australia - temperate climate)

Beetroot seeds have been grown in poly boxes in shade cloth house. Germination 3 weeks on. 3-4 small leaves. Are they supposed to have such a long stalk approximately 20cm below leaf. Is this normal

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16 Mar 16, Dennis (Australia - temperate climate)

I am having the trouble, my beetroot seedlings are growing on long long stalks, perhaps someone has an answer, they are under 50 per cent shade.. Great site Gardenate thanks.

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