With its distinctive earthy flavour and vibrant colour, Beetroot is an incredibly versatile vegetable that is wonderful raw, cooked, roasted, steamed or even baked as cake or brownies. A popular side dish on its own, it can also be roasted with other root veg, turned into vegetable crisps or even into beetroot pesto!
Planting Calendar
Beetroot can be sown and planted from Spring through to late Autumn.
Harvest In
3 - 4 months
The younger the beets are at harvesting the sweeter they will be.
Prepare
Position
Beetroot like to be planted into a sunny position.
Soil
When planted into the ground, Beetroot likes a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost, Kings Sheep Pellets and Kings Organic Vegetable Fertiliser then mix together well. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and will help to break down the clay. When planting into a container, plant into Living Erath Organic Vegetable Mix.
Plant
Sow your Beetroot seed into seedling trays with Organic Seed Raising mix and transplant when they have two true leaves. Discard any weak looking seedlings and only plant the strong ones. Gently remove the seedling from the tray and plant into the cultivated soil. Space plants 15cm apart and in rows 30cm apart so they have plenty of space to grow. Alternatively they can be sown directly into the garden, raised beds or containers that are at least 30cm deep. Water in well after planting and liquid feed with Aquaticus Garden Booster.
Care
Watering
Water so that the soil is kept moist, not wet as this will cause the beetroot to rot.
Feeding
Feed throughout the growing season with Aquaticus Garden Booster and Kings Organic Vegetable fertiliser following the instructions carefully.
Protecting
Protect your young seedling from slugs and snails by applying Quash, the pet friendly option.
Beginner Tip
If you leave your Beetroot in the ground for too long they will become tough and can split open.
Expert Tip
Harvest Beetroot when they are the size you like to eat them at. Try to harvest every alternate plant to give the neighbouring one more space to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I plant beetroot seeds?
Sow your Beetroot seed into seedling trays with Organic Seed Raising mix and transplant when they have two true leaves. Discard any weak looking seedlings and only plant the strong ones. Gently remove the seedling from the tray and plant into the cultivated soil. Space plants 15cm apart and in rows 30cm apart so they have plenty of space to grow. Alternatively they can be sown directly into the garden, raised beds or containers that are at least 30cm deep. Water in well after planting and liquid feed with Aquaticus Garden Booster.
What is the best time of year to plant beetroot?
Beetroot can be planted from early spring to late summer. The soil should be warm for optimal germination.
How often should I water beetroot plants?
Water so that the soil is kept moist, not wet as this will cause the beetroot to rot.
How do I know when beetroot is ready to harvest?
The younger the beets are at harvesting the sweeter they will be.
What pests and diseases should I watch out for?
Common pests include aphids and leaf miners. Diseases to watch for include powdery mildew and downy mildew. Regular inspection and good garden hygiene can help prevent these issues.
