Sowing beetroot in summer

[Carrie]

Hi everyone,

New to the forum but follower and practicer of no dig. After a successful spring sowing of beetroot, I’m having trouble with my summer sowing for autumn harvesting. I’m struggling to put my mutlisown modules of beetroot somewhere with enough light that doesn’t dry the modules out quickly particularly in this hot weather we are having. Any tips to how to generally looking after undercover sowing at this time of year?

[charles]

Carrie it’s so warm now that they will germinate anywhere shady, including a shed for example.
Ensure the trays are fully moist before you place them somewhere like that, and check after 5 days for germination to bring into light.
I am watering modules twice a day in this weather.

[Carrie]

Thanks Charles,

I don’t seem to have a problem germinating but because I’m having to water regularly they seem to be dampening off which I didn’t think would occur at this time of year. Unless it’s a pest that’s nibbling at soil level. I’m going to have to do lots of batches in succession in the hope to get enough for an autumn harvest.

[charles]

Maybe try different compost because it needs one that holds moisture well.
That allows you to water heavily in the morning to achieve saturated compost, then be out in the day and water again the following morning – with trays in the sun. Possibly also water late afternoon/early evening if modules look v dry.
Yes, damping off is not right at this time of year and in this weather. Your trays need a drier environment.

[Jacob Lockcuff]

I’m not sure how this may work with beetroot, but I often find that seedlings started in deep, open flats often take much longer to dry out than in cell trays. Here in the USA, I was having to water my cabbage seedlings 5-6 times a day in module trays, but in flats it’s more like once a day, quite the improvement. I suppose it’s more soil mass holding on to water. You may give it a try.

[Author]

Posts