BEETROOT - a gardener's notebook
Cylindrical beetroot, like aptly named old favourite "Cylindrica", are much easier to peel in the kitchen. Once cooked, the skin just slides off in one piece. Easier to slice too.
IS IT TRUE THAT USING SALT ON THE SOIL MAKES BEETROOT SWEETER? - or is it an old wives tale? the 'believe or not' column in RHS magazine "The Garden" comes down on the side of not using salt. Yes, beetroot, which are descended from seaside plant Sea Beet, to be seen growing at Hythe and Folkestone. It is possible that the effect of the salt is to grow less watery beetroot - the salt will prevent the plants from picking up so much water from the soil - but in the South East at least, excess summer rain is rarely a problem. And putting salt on the soil may have a very adverse effect on the next crop you grow in that patch!
The RHS has a trial of beetroot varieties. RHS trials are totally brilliant. The trials ground at Wisley has a well-drained silty soil. To read the trial click here.
IS IT TRUE THAT USING SALT ON THE SOIL MAKES BEETROOT SWEETER? - or is it an old wives tale? the 'believe or not' column in RHS magazine "The Garden" comes down on the side of not using salt. Yes, beetroot, which are descended from seaside plant Sea Beet, to be seen growing at Hythe and Folkestone. It is possible that the effect of the salt is to grow less watery beetroot - the salt will prevent the plants from picking up so much water from the soil - but in the South East at least, excess summer rain is rarely a problem. And putting salt on the soil may have a very adverse effect on the next crop you grow in that patch!
The RHS has a trial of beetroot varieties. RHS trials are totally brilliant. The trials ground at Wisley has a well-drained silty soil. To read the trial click here.
