Beetroot is easy to grow from seed, doesn’t take up much space and matures quickly, making it an excellent catch or cover crop. You can even grow beetroot in large containers or window boxes. We asked experienced budget farmer Lee Senior for his advice on growing beetroot at home. Here are his top tips.
Do you want to try it? Browse our full range of beetroot seeds.
How to choose the best beetroot variety to grow
Photo: Beetroot F1 ‘Action’ from Suttons
Beetroot ‘Action’ F1 varieties are my favorite varieties for container planting. Sweet-tasting beets are best harvested when they are small, about the size of a golf ball. They are ready to eat in 10-12 weeks, and I sow the seeds every three to four weeks to ensure a constant supply throughout the summer.
One of the best early varieties is Beetroot ‘Boltardy’. In favorable conditions and mild spring weather, the seeds of this perennial species can be sown periodically from late March or early April to mid-July. It is resistant to early sowing, and has a very pleasant aroma.
Beetroot ‘Rainbow Mix’ seed pack never fails to disappoint, and is understandably popular with children too. Like most varieties, beets are best harvested young. The star of the show is the meat, which comes in the most beautiful and eye-catching colors including yellow, white and of course red!
For something completely different, the Italian brand ‘Chioggia’ certainly comes through with a bang. These varieties reveal white rings that contrast markedly with the flesh when cut open. You can also harvest young leaves to use in salads or cook like chard. For anyone who has just grown a beetroot, this will be a talking point among your neighbors in your allotment!
How to guide beetroot seeds sown outdoors
Beetroot can be sown outdoors as soon as the soil temperature is warm enough. This is my preferred method of sowing seeds as it avoids disturbing the roots. In a mild spring, early varieties such as ‘Boltardy’ can be sown in prepared soil in early April. Here’s how I do it:
- Warm your soil in March using black sheets or using a heated bed system.
- Sow the beetroot seeds thinly to a depth of up to 3cm (about 1 inch) in soil that has been loosened and worked into fine tillage.
- I like to line the bottom of the seed drill with a multi-purpose compost, which I feel gives better germination.
- Pre-water the seed drill during dry weather.
- Cover the seeds lightly with plenty of compost or good quality garden soil.
- Protect the seeds with wool or a cloche after sowing.
- Seeds can also be sown in raised beds in rows or blocks.
- Germination takes 2-3 weeks depending on the conditions.
- It is important not to allow the seed holes to dry out or this will reduce germination success.
How to care for beetroot
Image: Beetroot ‘Chioggia’ from Suttons (©Thompson & Morgan)
Once your seedlings are mature, thin them to 8-10cm (3-4 inches) apart. Larger spaces will allow for larger roots, but again, it’s important to remember that smaller roots have more flavor.
Over the years I have taken the time to carefully transplant each beetroot thinnings and they have developed into successful plants, but this can be fiddly. Choosing cool moist conditions for replanting is important, as is not letting the plants dry out a few weeks later.
To successfully grow young beetroot plants, choose a sunny location and try to keep the soil weed free. Water well during dry spells. You will get better roots with less chance of splitting if you keep the soil moist. Beetroots are not heavy feeders so normal garden soil, in good condition, should suffice.
How to start beetroot seeds indoors
Beetroot seeds can be started on a windowsill or in a heated propagator in mid-winter when the soil is too cold to grow outside. I use regular seed trays rather than regular seed trays to start beetroot indoors.
Once the seeds are dry they can be grown for several weeks in a cold greenhouse or cold frame. Cut back weak seedlings and let others grow. Seedlings can be planted under cloches or fleece in late April or early May, but don’t forget to harden them first.
How to plant beetroot plug plants
Plug plants offer a great, quick way to get your beetroot plants in the ground. An important task when planting outdoors is not to damage the roots of young plants. Keep young plants moist after planting, and grow them normally.
Some allotment holders grow their plants in small batches to harvest as small beets, and use the leaves in salads.
How to harvest and store beetroot
Photo: Beetroot Jolie from Suttons
When harvesting beetroot it is important to twist rather than cut the leaves. Twisting will stop broken stems at yielding levels. I always harvest the roots when they are about the size of a golf ball, as this is when they are at their softest. If they are allowed to grow too much they can become hard and tasteless.
There are many different ways to maintain good quality, undamaged roots during the winter. If your soil is well drained or you are growing in a raised bed, it will end up in a place where the leaves are twisted, as long as there is no frost.
They will also survive the winter stored in boxes of wet compost or sand in a cool dry place such as a garage, outbuilding or basement.
With a little care, it is possible to get sweet beets until the end of February. If you start sowing your seeds in late winter, this will allow you to be self-sufficient in beetroot for 8 or 9 months of the year.
We hope we’ve inspired you to try growing new and exciting beetroot varieties that you can’t buy at the supermarket. Find out more of Lee’s practical, practical, DIY gardening tips monthly assignment pages.
Main image: Beetroot ‘Blood Bulls’ seed from Suttons (©Thompson & Morgan)
