Beetroot Growing Guide

Beta vulgaris

Crop Rotation Group

Chenopodiaceae (Beet family) ●

Soil

Fertile soil enriched with compost or other organic matter.

Position

Sun or partial shade.

Frost tolerant

Yes.

Feeding

Rarely required.

Spacing

Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 10cm (3") with 20cm (7") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow from mid-spring, at about the time apple trees bloom. Sow autumn crops in mid to late summer. Unlike most other root crops, beetroot doesn’t mind being transplanted, provided the seedlings are small and kept moist during transplanting. It can also be directly seeded where it is to grow. Each seed is actually a small cluster of seeds - you can thin them out once germinated, or leave them to grow together.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Be careful not to damage the beet when weeding. Young leaves are also a colourful addition to salads. Liable to bolt (run to seed) if sown too early, though some varieties are resistant to this.

Harvesting

Harvest young leaves for salad greens as you thin young plants. Pull roots when they become plump. To keep through winter, harvest plants, cut off the tops, and keep in a cool cellar or refrigerator.