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Beetroot  (Beta vulgaris)

GROWING SUMMARY​

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  • Onions are frost hardy and germinate best between

  • Timing:  

  • Direct Seeding

  • Growing Seedlings
    Germination temperature

  • Bed Preparation
    Raised beds
    On the flat

  • Plant Spacing
    Germination temperature

  • Irrigation
    Germination temperature

  • Pests and Diseases
    Germination temperature

  • Harvesting
    November – January depending on variety & location

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GROWING SUMMARY​

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  • Beets are best when grown quickly in light, sandy, fertile soil with a pH over 6.0. However beetroot will also do well in heavier soils with the addition of plenty of compost. 

  • Beetroot seeds are corky and 'multigerm' which means that each seed can result in 3 or 4 plants. Modern breeding has developed 'monogerm' seed but these hybrid varieties are expensive and developed mainly for market gardeners. 

  • Beetroot can be grown as seedlings or planted directly into the soil and will germinate over a wide range of soil temperatures from 4-30°C.

  • Plant out either seeds or seedlings from early spring to late summer, 3-4 rows per bed with 100mm between plants.

  • Monthly successions with a larger sowing in February/March will ensure continuous harvest over summer and winter. The plants are not sensitive to frost hence the larger planting needed for winter harvest. They will keep well in cold soil but grow extremely slowly. Frosts cause the beets to become very sweet and tasty - a great addition to winter harvest particularly in cold areas. 

  • Beetroot doesn't mind being grown in small clumps. Harvest the rows by thinning out baby beets from each clump. Leave the strongest plants in the ground to grow into full sized roots. Young leaves are also delicious. 

VARIETIES​

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Beetroots come in a range of colours and shapes.​

  • Detroit Dark Red - a classic round full flavoured variety

  • ​Chioggia - an Italian heirloom. When cut the inside has both white and red rings. The leaves a not as dard as those of the red varieties and are tender with a flavour more like English Spinach rather than their cousin Silverbeet.

  • Cylindrica - an upright variety with smooth cylindrical roots. Easy to clean and cook.

  • Golden Varieties - grow exactly the same way as dark red beetroot. The flavour is sweet and less earthy.

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