A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Vegetable Gardening beet germination problems

I gave a young friend of mine some tomato seedlings, some melon ("long john" heirloom) seeds, and some beet seeds ("Detroit dark red"), & instructions on when to plant. He planted some beets seeds about 6 weeks ago, and nothing happened. So he planted some more about 2 weeks ago. Nothing. Meanwhile, I planted mine about 4 weeks ago (maybe 3) and I have a nice fine little crop of seedlings (although some must have washed away or didn't germinate b/c my two rows are denser on one end then the other).

When he planted the second time, he even incorporated some organic matter and looser potting soil, and the instructions I gave him were just how I did it. (He has worked for me in the past, is a smart guy, and can certainly follow instructions.) Everything else he planted is doing fine.

Any thoughts on why two successive plantings of beet seeds failed to germinate?

I am clueless.

I'm clueless too, only excess or lack of moisture, but it sounds like he would be on top of that.

Thanks for the reply, Dave. I will tell him to try again. Although it might be a bit late in the season, maybe he'll have better luck this go 'round. I hate to see newbies be disappointed. (And yes, he'd have been on top of those issues.)

I have never gotten one beet. The tops are lovely but have never gotten a single beet. If he figures it out let me know.

Off topic question Marcia, how do you cook yours?

I have tops, I hope I get beets.

Technically speaking, *I* do not cook them. Hubby does all the cooking!! I just asked him, and he is going to "send me some recipes" because he's all the way over in the kitchen & I'm in the study & they are on his computer. (Geeze.) Anyway, as soon as they show up here in the study, I will post a couple in the recipe forum!

thanks.