Drainage for Beetrot in containers?!!

lynzpower

Help please

Im growing beetroot in a container- I have one of those big fishmonger polystyrene boxes Ive punched a few more holes in the bottom.

Do I need crockery in the bottom as well??

thanks for your help!

gillian62

Did you have problems getting hold of the polystyrene box? I've just watched one of the gardener's world videos on the website, and it looked like an excellent idea for growing some earlier crops.

lynzpower

Not a problem for me as Im in London and have a fish restaurant over the road who feels the need to toss their waste all over the public highway.

If anyones in london I can tell you where there are plenty :cool:

gazza975526570

As long as there is drainage at the bottom so they dont become waterlogged it should be fine

lynzpower

Do you just mean drainage holes Gazza? Sorry I know holes/drainage/crockery/stones/gravel can be interchangeable.

gazza975526570

Yes sorry Lynz. They grow suprisingly a decent amount of foliage for a "small" crop. They are much nicer when they are a small size - say the size of a golf ball otherise they can become woody. There are some cylindrical (sic) beets that are good for slicing and to me seem to be able to stay in the ground a bit longer. I tend to grow a lot and then endup giving most away as i never know what to do with it! Anyone with any nice recipes feel free to shout out!

What variety you got?

Little_Vics

I heard you can eat beetroot leaves in salad - is that right?

gazza975526570

Little_Vics wrote: »

I heard you can eat beetroot leaves in salad - is that right?

Well i boiled some last year - meant to be like spinach/cabbage.

Wasnt keen so wouldnt bother again.

You do get a lot of leaves but not sure re salad leaves. SUre someone will be hre soon that has tried it.

lynzpower

The main reason Im doing them is to make home made beetroot crisps- I LOVE LOVE thr bought ones but they are very expensive!

Beetroot and chocolate cake Ive seen a few places. http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7663/blitzandbake-beetroot-and-chocolate-cake
and this
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2155/salt-crust-sirloin-with-roasted-beetroot-and-horse
loads of other ( mainly salads) recipes online
Yes you can use the young leaves in salad its in the titchmarsh and a couple of other things ive read too.

gazza975526570

Yeah ive done the beetroot and choc cake before.

Off to look at beetroot crisps now!!!

kimmee

Little_Vics wrote: »

I heard you can eat beetroot leaves in salad - is that right?

I grew beetroot last year purely for the baby leaves to use in salad. They are lovely, though I hate actual beetroot.