How to Grow Beetroot

Overview

Beetroot is a versatile, easy-to-grow root vegetable that thrives in most gardens. It can be eaten roasted, pickled, grated raw in salads, or used in soups. With quick maturity times and beautiful deep crimson colour, beetroot is both ornamental and productive in the garden.

Health Benefits

Natural nitrates for performance: Beetroot is rich in dietary nitrates, which may help improve blood pressure and enhance exercise performance by supporting efficient oxygen use.

Folate and manganese: Good sources of folate (important for cell growth) and manganese (supporting bone health and metabolism).

Betalains with anti-inflammatory properties: The pigments that give beetroot its deep colour are betalains, which have been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Soil Preparation

Beetroot grows best in light, well-drained soil that has been improved with compost. Avoid freshly manured ground, which can cause forking. Aim for a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Rake the soil to a fine tilth before sowing. Sandy or loamy soils are ideal, though beetroot is quite tolerant of different soil types.

Sowing & Planting

Sow seeds directly outdoors from March to July in drills 2.5cm deep, spacing rows 30cm apart. Each beetroot seed is actually a cluster that may produce multiple seedlings, so thin to 10cm apart once they emerge. For earlier crops, sow bolt-resistant varieties under cloches in March. Successional sowing every few weeks ensures a long harvest.

Care & Maintenance

Water regularly during dry spells to keep growth steady and prevent woodiness. Beetroot is relatively low-maintenance but benefits from a light mulch to conserve moisture. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which encourage leafy growth at the expense of roots. Keep rows weed-free, especially while seedlings are establishing.

Harvesting

Pull beetroot when the roots are golf-ball to tennis-ball sized, typically from June to October. Twist off the leaves rather than cutting them to prevent bleeding. Larger roots can become woody, so harvest promptly. Late-sown crops can be lifted in autumn and stored in boxes of damp sand.

Common Problems

Bolting can occur if plants experience cold spells after germination. Use bolt-resistant varieties for early sowings.

Leaf spot causes brown or purple spots on foliage but rarely affects the root. Remove affected leaves and ensure good spacing.

Birds may peck at seedlings. Cover with fleece or netting until plants are well established.

Companion Planting

Beetroot grows happily alongside lettuce, onions, and kohlrabi. Avoid planting near runner beans, which can compete for nutrients and space.