Beetroots can be prone to bolting, especially if forced or in very dry conditions. Oddly I have found Early Wonder, which is claimed to be resistant to bolting, bolts when planted early under fleece while cylindrical French ones don’t. It is claimed that French varieties mature more slowly, but this is not the case in my experience, so that does not really explain why they don’t bolt. I have grown Carillon and Cylindra in the past but I am now onto Detroit, which has that lovely earthy flavour. The seeds are large enough to plant individually, in fact this is true of all seeds if you take your time. The standard practice is to plant two at each “station” and thin one of them out. I reckon it’s better to plant at half the spacing measurement and then when I remove one the others continue to grow: voila! no wasted seeds. Beetroot: Planting Guide Sow: Early March onwards Depth: 1cm Between Plants: 7cm Between Rows: 22cm Harvest: when ready Dig This: Dressing of seaweed products or salt is beneficial. hand weed around plants plant in succession Good Companions lettuce Dislike ? Varieties I like Detroit, Cylindra, Carrillon Click Walter to contact me URL http://www.digmyplot.co.uk ©april 2007