Beetroot
How do I sow beetroot outdoors?
To sow beetroot outdoors, we recommend doing so in spring after the last frosts, generally between April and May. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Before sowing, work the soil by weeding it and making it fine and loose.
To sow the seeds, make furrows about 30 cm apart and place the seeds every 5 cm. Cover them lightly with soil and pack lightly. Be sure to water regularly without soaking the soil.
After emergence, thin out the plants to leave only one plant every 10 cm. Beetroot need constant moisture but take care not to over-water to prevent root rot.
Watch out for attacks by pests and diseases, favouring natural methods to keep them at bay. Harvest beetroot around 2 to 3 months after sowing, once they have reached the desired size.
Harvest beetroot as soon as possible.
How do I plant beetroot?
When planting beetroot, choose a sunny, well-drained spot. Beetroot prefers soil that is rich in organic matter, loose and slightly acidic. Before sowing, work the soil by weeding and levelling. To plant beetroot seeds, wait for the soil to warm up in spring, generally from April onwards. Sow the seeds about 2 cm deep and space them 5 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart.
If you prefer to transplant beetroot plants, you can sow them in trays or pots as early as March and transplant them into the ground about 4 weeks later. Be sure to water the plants well after transplanting. To encourage beetroot growth, remember to hoe regularly to eliminate weeds and mulch to keep the soil cool and moist.
How do you harvest beetroot?
Beetroot can be harvested from autumn onwards, when the roots have reached a sufficient size. To tell if the beetroot is ready to harvest, simply check that the root diameter is around 5 to 8 cm. To harvest beetroot, pull gently on the leaves, taking care not to damage the roots. Once harvested, beetroot can be stored for several months in a cool, dark place, such as a cellar. It is important to remove the leaves before storing to prevent them rotting. So, by following these few tips, you can enjoy your fresh beetroot well into winter while preserving their flavour and texture.
Beetroot
- Type : Vegetables
- Subtype : Root vegetables
- Botanical Family : Chenopodiaceae
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Resistant
- Cultivation Difficulty : Easy
- Adult Height : 30 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 2 cm
- Plant Spacing : 12 cm
- Row Spacing : 30 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Low
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing