How/when to harvest beetroot?

beckstrous

Hello, I am a total novice, and have started growing veg this year. We've had some success with French beans (nice tasting, but a very low yield) and courgettes, and there is a small butternut squash that has appeared (it's very green...I presume it will turn yellow at some point). We also have perpetual spinach. This is FAB and so easy to grow!
But my question is about beetroot. We planted some of this and it lives in a container with the perpetual spinach. I've no idea when it's ready since it's all underground and I read this on a website:
"Harvest your beetroot when the plants measure 7.5cm across."
But how do I know that they measure 7.5cm across without digging them up? I don't get it...I can see something knobbly poking out of the soil but I'm not sure if it's a root, or what. When you have harvested them, how long do they last? It's just that we're getting beetroot in the veg box this fortnight. Next fortnight I'm not having a box because I think we'll have enough veg of our own...
Also, how do you know when carrots are ready?
Much thanks. I don't know what I'm doing but it is fun. Next year we are going to get a book

Farway

beckstrous wrote: »

But my question is about beetroot. We planted some of this and it lives in a container with the perpetual spinach. I've no idea when it's ready since it's all underground and I read this on a website:
"Harvest your beetroot when the plants measure 7.5cm across."
But how do I know that they measure 7.5cm across without digging them up? I don't get it...I can see something knobbly poking out of the soil but I'm not sure if it's a root, or what. When you have harvested them, how long do they last? It's just that we're getting beetroot in the veg box this fortnight. Next fortnight I'm not having a box because I think we'll have enough veg of our own...
Also, how do you know when carrots are ready?
Much thanks. I don't know what I'm doing but it is fun. Next year we are going to get a book

Beetroot will show their shoulders [the nobbly bit you see is the start] above the soil when ready, then you know the size, whatever is pottable for you really.

If you leave them they will get larger, keeping is a bit awkward, traditionally they were placed in boxes of damp sand somewhere cool, they will shrivel otherwise

I would use when ready for your needs, they will keep longer if left in the ground, but frost will not suit them, so just pull what you need and go back for more when you need some

Same with carrots, they will show their shoulders above the ground when ready, but a few "baby" ones can be used as you wish, leave the rest and harvest as required for the pot

beckstrous

Thank you!

tlck9

I planned some mini beetroot ideal for planters, they have stems of around 12 cms, no shoulders are showing as I can see, would these still show, being the dwarf variety?

I dont want to disturb them if they arent ready, if I pull one and they arent can it be pushed back in?