I' am doing Beets 2012

[kathy]

Barbara:  Here's a great link about what bdank has done:http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?topic=7378.0

[cushman350]

bdank,

Great pictures!  The one with the earthbox, is it on a stand and is that some kind of protection you have draped over the box?  I see the pvc pipe and rebar.  Can you show more or explain what you have done.  I'm always looking for ideas on how to set things up and also how best to protect against the elements, etc.

I really like how you did your pictures.  You can see them so much better.

Thanking you in advance.
Barbara

BDumler2,

These frames are a great season extending tool. This is a better photo of the cold frames by bdank and link to the thread:
http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?topic=7099.msg60621#msg60621

[Lorelai71]

I do beets every year (for the past 3 years)...I was so stubborn for many years and tried to plant them in the ground until about 3 years ago....
I plant at least 20 per box, sometimes more, in staggered rows with the fertilizer lengthwise (the usual way !)  I get nice size beets about 3-4 inches in diameter.....

            B      B     B     B     B     B 
        B       B     B     B     B     B

    FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

            B      B      B     B     B     B
        B      B      B      B     B     B

Good Luck
Judi

Just wondering.  You plant 20 beets per box.  However, according to EB's placement chart, it says 10 seedlings (5 per row) for beets, onions, spinach and turnips.

I will be planting onions soon and I was wondering if I could use your configuration instead.  As a newbie, I think I may have been overzealous and sowed too many seeds.  I don't have enough EB boxes.

[kathy]

I hate when people answer a question with a question, but when you say onions, you are doing plants or sets, correct....not seeds?

[bdank]

bdank,

Great pictures!  The one with the earthbox, is it on a stand and is that some kind of protection you have draped over the box?  I see the pvc pipe and rebar.  Can you show more or explain what you have done.  I'm always looking for ideas on how to set things up and also how best to protect against the elements, etc.

I really like how you did your pictures.  You can see them so much better.

Thanking you in advance.
Barbara

BDumler2,

These frames are a great season extending tool. This is a better photo of the cold frames by bdank and link to the thread:
http://forum.earthbox.com/index.php?topic=7099.msg60621#msg60621

Thanks for linking that Cushman. 

[Lorelai71]

I hate when people answer a question with a question, but when you say onions, you are doing plants or sets, correct....not seeds?

Hi Kathy,
To be quite honest. I am not really sure.  In my burpee seed starter kit, I have about 3-5 seeds in each little square and I sowed several squares.  I am assuming that I will get that many plants. 

When time to plant I was hoping to have learned more information by then.  LOL

I guess I really don't know how what is meant by "plant" on the EB chart.  Does 1 seed = 1 plant?

[mjb8743]

I hate when people answer a question with a question, but when you say onions, you are doing plants or sets, correct....not seeds?

Hi Kathy,
To be quite honest. I am not really sure.  In my burpee seed starter kit, I have about 3-5 seeds in each little square and I sowed several squares.  I am assuming that I will get that many plants. 

When time to plant I was hoping to have learned more information by then.  LOL

I guess I really don't know how what is meant by "plant" on the EB chart.  Does 1 seed = 1 plant?

Onions take a very long time when started from seed (they need to be sown a good 3-4 months before spring.) For that reason, people usually buy starter plants or sets. Sets are small onion bulbs that actually are 2nd year onions. They are also the easiest to grow.

Onions have a built-in alarm clock, based on day length and soil temperature. When their alarm goes off, the onions are done... makes no difference when you planted them... they will not get any bigger than they are at that point. The foliage falls over and turns yellow. In order to get decent sized onions, they need to be planted as early as possible. Sets must go in by early April at the latest.

Mickie

[Lorelai71]

Onions take a very long time when started from seed (they need to be sown a good 3-4 months before spring.) For that reason, people usually buy starter plants or sets. Sets are small onion bulbs that actually are 2nd year onions. They are also the easiest to grow.

Onions have a built-in alarm clock, based on day length and soil temperature. When their alarm goes off, the onions are done... makes no difference when you planted them... they will not get any bigger than they are at that point. The foliage falls over and turns yellow. In order to get decent sized onions, they need to be planted as early as possible. Sets must go in by early April at the latest.

Mickie

Oh boy!  Thanks Mickie.  I guess I won't be planting onions.