Beetroot

Beetroot is a root crop originally from Europe.

Has elongated goosefoot shaped, glossy, mid-green leaves with bright red v...Read Moreeins and dark red stalks originating from the root. Roots can be globe shaped, cylindrical or tapered, often red but can also be white or yellow. Both the roots and the leaves are edible when cooked but more often only the roots are used.

The best yields are grown on deep, sandy soils which don't become too dry or are too acidic. As with other root crops remove as many stones as possible unless you want to enter unusual shaped veg competitions.

The seeds germinate better if soaked for at least two hours in warm water prior to sowing. Each 'seed' is corky fruit covering which contains several seed so don't be to surprised if you find more seedlings than seed you planted. Pelleted seed is also sold so check on the packet for full instructions.

Prepare the ground well as you would for any root crop. Make rows 1 inch deep and 12-14 inches apart. Sow seed from mid March-end June for crop succession. Plant 2 'seeds' side by side and 4 inches from the next pair.

As the seedlings get to 1-2 inches tall thin them out so there is only one seedling in one place. Thin out again (alternate roots) when the roots reach 2 inches across, these can be cooked and eaten.

Keep the crop evenly watered and mulched, too much water after a dry spell will split the roots, it they are too dry the root becomes woody.

Harvest can start as early as mid June from an early sowing. Most crops will be ready to harvest in 11-14 weeks (tapered and cylindrical beetroots will take a few weeks longer to mature). Don't cut the leaves off with a blade, twist them off with a couple of inches of stalk left on the beet or the root will bleed. If you want to store them pull them up in October from a later sowing, shake off soil and store in a dry material such as peat, leave in a cool shed. Don't keep any damaged or diseased roots.

If growing for storage over the winter, sow in late May-June or the roots will be too mature and woody by lifting time in October.