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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2008 23:14:11 GMT
Today whilst walking around b + q i picked up a packet of Bolthardy Beets . and some carrot seed. Cos my youngest daughter has a rabbit (Smudge) ive decided to grow them in a load of big pots. What pests or problems do i have to look out for? as i havent done this before.
Cheers in advance
Steve
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Post by Tig on Jul 6, 2008 23:37:35 GMT
For your carrots - if you keep the containers 2 foot above ground level you should not get any damage from carrot root fly
I can't comment on the beetroot 'cos I am still waiting to get a decent crop from any that I've sowed !!
Tig
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 7, 2008 8:15:37 GMT
My carrots are doing well in a tub and my beetroots are great as well - I had an aphid problem to start with but it is sorted out now.
As this is the first year that I am doing a lot of veg in tubs - apart from toms, peppers and Co , I can't really advise you except to say - try...I am finding it a lot of fun and I am sure your daughter will love feeding Smudge (and perhaps herself) with the results.
RF
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2008 17:36:18 GMT
Hi Steve,
Beets have a shallow root system so you should fair out well growing them in pots. They require full sun and respond the best to a structured system of water and fertilizing. They are versatile in that they can be harvested at practically any stage of development. Typically they are harvested when the roots get 2-3 inches in diameter for the best taste. If you wait too long the beets will have a more bitter taste.
Some of the beet pests you want to watch for are aphids which hide out on the underside of the leaves and beet webworms which actually eat the plant leaves. I have also seen cases of flea beetles which will leave little holes in the leaves of your plant.
Carrot seeds require a little more patience because they develop slowly before taking root. During this time you want to keep the soil well aerated. They are harvested when the top turn bright green and the heads are at least ½ inch across.
Carrots and beets tend to share the same pests so you will want to have an appropriate fungicide handy.
Jo Green
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2008 21:45:52 GMT
Thanks all What fungicide would you reccomend ?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2008 22:21:15 GMT
Hi Steve, There is a fairly new fungicide for beets and carrots called Cabrio EG Fungicide which is effective on a broad spectrum of diseases that threaten yield and quality in beets and carrots. It can also be applied to other root vegetable crops as well. The fungicide stops fungal spores as they develop and provides protection on both sides of the plant leaf. There are also a number of all natural fungicides that you can review at www.gardensalive.com |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2008 18:36:41 GMT
Well theyve sprouted. Think i might have been a bit too generous with the carrot seed though ;D  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2008 2:12:17 GMT
well so far they are still small. Ive ate i mean thinned out ;D some of the carrots but they are no bigger then 2" long. Shall i start feeding them and with what. No sign of any pests prob due to the cold weather and i have them about 3 foot off the ground on top of the rabbit hutch Cheers
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Post by Spruance on Nov 9, 2008 22:58:52 GMT
I wouldn't bother with feeding at this time of year Steve as you may well end up with lush tops and small carrots. One thing to watch out for is the tops of the roots becoming exposed which will begin to turn green and create a bitter tasting carrot. This is easily avoided - especially in tubs - by drawing some soil or compost around the crown of the plant.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2008 14:12:27 GMT
Cheers spruance i do have some carrots tops showing so i will cover them up. They seem to be very slow growing  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2008 14:38:25 GMT
Well months later and they are still very small So you gotta let me know should they stay or should they go ;D Will they over winter to produce bigger roots for next year ? |
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Post by Dutchy on Dec 22, 2008 18:53:52 GMT
Here is a silly thought.
Can you bring the carrots indoors into a sunny spot on a windowsill?
When summer carrots stay in the ground in winter they rot.
Winter ones hold well through the winter I am told but you have to keep those well covered with soil.
To be honest I haven't a clue but if they are worthless anyhow.
Why not that ledge in the spare bedroom or in lack of that the WC window or in lack of that in the shed or .......
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2008 18:53:02 GMT
I could bring them inside Dutchy but i would be made to sleep outside in their place ;D
Maybe i could put them in the garage not sure .I will prob leave them were they are and as we are gaining 2 mins extra light a day it will be spring time in no time ;D
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Post by Spruance on Dec 23, 2008 22:06:26 GMT
I can't imagine that carrots in a container would react in the same way as carrots in the field, so why not try to cover them with a sheet of polythene to keep the worst of the weather off? It might be advisable to make a few holes in it to allow good ventilation, then you will have a series of mini-cold-frames.
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Post by Dr Bill on Dec 23, 2008 22:25:47 GMT
Don't forget though that they will bolt in the spring. Carrots are (I believe) bienniels. Probably better to pull them and enjoy them as they are
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2008 0:48:26 GMT
Well i suppose i learnt when not to sow them ;D
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Post by Dutchy on Dec 24, 2008 17:18:35 GMT
Yes that is the bonus ;D
You can still serve them as deluxe baby carrots with Christmas.
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Post by Barbara on Dec 24, 2008 20:24:12 GMT
we grew lots of small ones, the kids loved them, we just pulled them and washed them when we fancied, they asked for them instead of sweets.  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2008 21:19:13 GMT
I can just picture my teenagers now.I might try it tomorrow barbara IF they sober up ;D
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Post by Barbara on Dec 26, 2008 13:19:14 GMT
ha ha, ;D I only look after sober 2 yr olds. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Dec 28, 2008 12:41:31 GMT
;D
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Post by Ron on Feb 15, 2017 15:23:28 GMT
I've got 12 bags each one 18" square by 24" deep. I'm using 5 for potatoes and 2 or 3 for carrots. After reading this thread I think I'll try beetroot as well. Any tips for what I might put in the others? (I hate parsnips!)
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 15, 2017 16:09:34 GMT
I grow everything in containers Ron, - no choice as it is all gravel at the back. I grow or have grown just about everything... Spuds, Beans - bush beans do very well, also have some runners as well, Broad beans I want to try, - onions always, garlic, toms, cucs. Then parsley, chives and different herbs. I have even tried Cauli and Broccoli for fun, Courgettes do well, especially Black Forest the climbing courgette. Then Kohlrabi. Parsley roots, loads of different salad leaves, radishes...you name it you can grow anything really... |
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Post by Ron on Feb 16, 2017 7:50:14 GMT
Cauliflower, Rosefriend, how did they turn out? What size container did you use? |
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Post by andy on Feb 16, 2017 9:26:39 GMT
The thing to do Ron is concentrate on what you like to eat and just grow that. I tried the squashes and the swede and all the other stuff i grew for a bit of fun and it was a waste of time.
Try the golden Beetroot.....it doesn't stain and tastes lovely when roasted. I also grow chantennay carrots instead of the bigger ones as they take up less space and are lovely straight out of the soil....keep the container about 1m off the ground to stop carrot root fly. Self pollenating runner beans such as Firestorm and Moonlight are good and try some "speedy" crops such as dwarf french beans....i grow mine in long troughs.
Good luck...love veg growing. Off to look at a new allotment on Monday.
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Post by Ron on Feb 16, 2017 10:34:10 GMT
The thing to do Ron is concentrate on what you like to eat and just grow that. I tried the squashes and the swede and all the other stuff i grew for a bit of fun and it was a waste of time. Try the golden Beetroot.....it doesn't stain and tastes lovely when roasted. I also grow chantennay carrots instead of the bigger ones as they take up less space and are lovely straight out of the soil....keep the container about 1m off the ground to stop carrot root fly. Self pollenating runner beans such as Firestorm and Moonlight are good and try some "speedy" crops such as dwarf french beans....i grow mine in long troughs. Good luck...love veg growing. Off to look at a new allotment on Monday. I had been thinking about swede, andy, as I like them a lot. Already have my carrot seeds and radish, and am growing peas and runner beans separately in a small plot. Might go for the french beans and thinking about the golden beetroot, as long as they are nothing like roasted parsnips, can't stand those. I'm very interested in trying cauliflowers but not sure how they would do in bags and how many I would get in. |
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Post by Ron on Feb 16, 2017 10:43:21 GMT
I've found some info online regarding cauliflowers, they wouldn't be worth it unfortunately. They need too much space. So I've already got potatoes, carrots, radish (milder Italian variety), runner beans and peas. Adding to that golden beetroot, beetroot boltardy, swedes and swiss chard. Thanks, andy , Rosefriend , for the advice. So many ideas in my head, you helped me make my mind up! |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 16, 2017 15:51:51 GMT
As andy, says Ron, do what you enjoy eating that will grow well. Cauli's and Broccoli etc do grow but you tend to get cauli the size of a golf ball unless you are really going to watch the room etc etc... You can do Hestia Dwarf Runner beans - or even real runners, - I do runners plus loads of different bush beans. Swedes is one that probably won't do much - carrots, onions will be good... Garlic in Sept/October - you can put them in the GH overwinter as you have to remember that everything in a tub, sacks/whatever needs a little more care than in the ground... Courgettes do very well, at times.. I have had years they were fantastic and years that there were pretty useless but that is the same for those in the ground from what I have read over the years... |
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Post by Rosefriend on Feb 16, 2017 16:05:53 GMT
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Post by Ron on Feb 16, 2017 17:45:07 GMT
This is the first time I've seen that Rosefriend, you've done a great job. I have nothing like that space though, just a 6' x 4 1/2' area and a small area by the fence for the peas and beans. |
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