Online Vegetable Seeds Catalogue

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

Sds/g: 30-75     Feed Requirements: Low     Opt. Germination Temp: 10-28˚C

Planting & Harvesting Guide:

Cultural Notes: Pulling fresh, crisp, healthy beetroot from the garden makes you wonder why we put up with those soft fleshed excuses from the supermarket. Beetroot is super healthy with high levels of anti-oxidants and potassium (which helps keep blood pressure down and reduces the risk of strokes). We loved it peeled and grated raw with walnuts or sunflower seeds and balsamic vinegar tossed through it. Throw some young beetroot leaves into a salad. - Beetroot can grow in most soils (including clays) provided the top 10cm of soil are loosened as the edible root grows near the surface. When aerating the soil mix in 2 cm of compost or well rotted manure. Once beetroot is stressed, reach full size or go to seed they tend to become woody and lose their sweetness. Sow every 2 weeks to ensure a constant supply without the beetroot going woody. Sow seed every few cm in rows 45-60cm apart. Thin seedlings when they are about 10cm tall and again when they start to look crowded. With the second thinning you can usually use the small bulb and greens.

Harvest: - Harvest when the beetroot reaches your desired size. Do not leave in the ground for too long once it has reached its mature size as it will go woody unless you have hit mid-autumn. Most varieties handle cold winters well and can be ‘stored’ in the ground until needed. If you live in a very frosty area protect your overwintering beetroots by hilling up some soil over the roots. If the roots freeze they will rot once thawed.