When to thin beets

[aniT]

So DD was helping me plant the beets a few weeks ago. After one row (and me putting all the holes in) ds got inconsolable and needed to come in for a nap. I told DD she could continue to put three seeds in each hole. Well somehow she used all the seeds. It's been nearly two weeks. The beets peeked out after a week. The first row we planted together is fine. It just has one or two seedlings in each hole. But the ones she planted by herself have like 15+. We do have a community garden so I have space to move them. They are about 1/4-1/2 tall right now. How tall should they be when I move them, and what would be the best way? do they need to be in dirt? I ziplock bag with a wet paper towel? I am thinking it wouldn't be more than a couple hours between point A and point B.

Thanks for the help!

[CarrieMF]

when they get taller I'd pull the smaller ones & not bothering trying to replant them, they most likely won't make it.

[fallriverfox]

I'd try and wait until they were just big enough to eat (small marble size) and thin then. Cook them with the greens attached. Yum.

[PlayaMama]

if you really want to move them you can. the earlier the better as far as i can tell, when they've just sprouted is best. you can also just thin them and eat them like previously suggested.

i think the paper towel idea is best, though i will say, i have never tried that, i've only dug them up and then immediately moved them to a new whole, on second thought, i'm not sure they'd make it with a few hours lag time.