Beetroot
Beetroot are easy to grow, take up little space and are ideal for beginners. They’re also nutritious, delicious and versatile. Sow seeds little and often, for continuous cropping, harvesting when the roots are young, tender and the size of a golf ball. If you grow varieties for winter storage, it’s possible to have beetroot almost all year round.
Jobs to do now
- Thin out seedlings
- Keep the bed weed-free
- Water in dry spells
Month by month
Sow
Sow three seeds at 10cm (4in) spacings, 2.5cm (1in) deep, in rows 30cm (1ft) apart.
Sow small batches at fortnightly intervals from March or April to July for a succession of tender, tasty roots.
Choose bolt-resistant varieties for early sowings under cloches or fleece in late February or early March. You can sow without protection from late March onwards.
Beetroot sown from June onwards can be stored for use in winter.
Grow
Beetroot grows best in fertile, well-drained soil.
Prior to sowing, dig in a bucketful of well-rotted garden compost or other organic matter. Then rake in a handful per square metre/yard of Growmore or other general-purpose fertiliser.
When the seedlings are about 2.5cm (1in) high, thin out to leave one every 10cm (4in).
During dry spells, water every 10–14 days.
If plants aren’t growing strongly, apply high nitrogen fertiliser (30g/1oz per sq m/yd), such as sulphate of ammonia, and water in.
Harvesting
Beetroot can be harvested from early summer through to mid-autumn, depending on sowing time and variety.
Pull up alternate plants once the roots are golf ball size, leaving the rest to reach maturity if you wish. Harvest these when no larger than a cricket ball.
Recommended Varieties
‘Babietola di Chioggia’
‘Boldor’
‘Cheltenham Green Top’ AGM
‘Pablo’ AGM
Common problems
Bolting
Plants flower and set seed prematurely.
Remedy
Unless growing for seed sow bolt-resistant varieties. Sow or plant at the correct time and keep the soil or compost moist.
Recipes
This unusual beetroot in cream goes well with game or roast beef
Nigel Slater presents his chilled beetroot soup with creamed goat’s cheese
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.