Tasteless beetroot!

Si_Clist

My wife has for many years been trying without success to grow a beetroot that still tastes of beetroot.  The varieties that she has tried either taste of nothing or they taste of sweetness, and the problem seems to be getting worse as more and more seed production is farmed out to China.

Can anyone suggest a beetroot variety which has a good old-fashioned proper beetroot taste?

RipleyG

I like Boltardy. Has she tried that? 

twopenny

Is it a lack of moisture that maybe makes them lacking?
It's been very hot and dry and they are a cool weather crop.

Si_Clist

RipleyG said:

I like Boltardy. Has she tried that? 

Yes, years ago, but nowadays they don't come up true.  Even some of the experts are complaining about it!

Si_Clist

twopenny said:

Is it a lack of moisture that maybe makes them lacking?
It's been very hot and dry and they are a cool weather crop.

No.  As I said, she's been trying for many years and they haven't all been hot and dry!

RipleyG

Si_Clist said:

RipleyG said:

I like Boltardy. Has she tried that? 

Yes, years ago, but nowadays they don't come up true.  Even some of the experts are complaining about it!

I've had that problem with some of the big brand seeds, but now buy only from some of the smaller suppliers and all seems OK. 

As another suggestion, how about joining Garden Organic, they run the national heritage seed library and you are able to request each year a few varieties to grow. It will only be a small number, but the idea is to grow on and collect your own seed (easy enough with beetroot) and ideally share some with others to keep old heritage varieties alive. 

Si_Clist

RipleyG said:

Si_Clist said:

RipleyG said:

I like Boltardy. Has she tried that? 

Yes, years ago, but nowadays they don't come up true.  Even some of the experts are complaining about it!

I've had that problem with some of the big brand seeds, but now buy only from some of the smaller suppliers and all seems OK. 

As another suggestion, how about joining Garden Organic, they run the national heritage seed library and you are able to request each year a few varieties to grow. It will only be a small number, but the idea is to grow on and collect your own seed (easy enough with beetroot) and ideally share some with others to keep old heritage varieties alive. 

She's actually on the case with Garden Organic!  That does seem to be the way forward.  Re seeds not true to type, the wife's now found all the big seed firms to be as bad as each other.  You certainly can't rely on anything from them being all true to type.

-taff

Try Real Seeds, or Franchi/Seeds of Italy.

Also on She Grows Veg there is a giant beet one being sold [ may be sold out by now] it's what was used in ye olde thymes or something but they're absolutely huge.... [it's a magel wurzel]...

LessImpecunious

Could it be the soil/compost she's growing the beets in? I know this makes a big difference with the flavour/texture of potatoes...