10 Reasons to Grow Beetroot – My Favourite Vegetable

Posted on 05. Jun, 2010 by Tracey in How To Grow Veg

My last attempt at growing beetroot was a bit of a non-starter, the tiny seedlings appeared but didn’t grow any larger and most of the seeds didn’t germinate. So 2 years later, with better knowledge of beetroot needs and determination not to let a little setback deterring me from trying it again, I’m growing beetroot again. It is now at the top of my list for favourite vegetable of the year and here’s why…

Beetroot Leaves

Why I Am Growing Beetroot and Why You Should Try It Too

1. It is visually a stunning vegetable to watch growing, look at the pictures below with the deep reds of the stems and red flashed through the dark green leaves, its a joy to see what stage is next.
2. According to the National Trust and Eat Seasonably, Beetroot is the nations best selling vegetable and easiest to grow from seed,
3. It grows well organically as it only has a few minor pests,
4. It grows well in Britain and Northern Europe due to cooler weather conditions,
5. Beetroot is one of the so called ‘superfoods’ and has great health benefits such as good for tissue growth from folic acid, can protect against high blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and helps aid the liver.


Beetroot Closeup

6. It is said that beetroot is an aphrodisiac and may increase your sex drive.
7. On a diet? Try eating beetroot as an alternative to chocolate, its 10% sugar but is released slowly in the body as opposed to the sugar rush that chocolate brings, it also contains trytophan (as does chocolate) which helps your sense of well-being.
8. It is a versatile vegetable, originally known as winter cropping. It can now be grown through spring and summer, with baby varieties of seed available. It can also be grown in winter and stored for periods of time.
9. Beetroot can be grated raw into salads or juiced, it can also be cooked whole (as the colour doesn’t run) by boiling, baking or roasting to reveal its true sweet, earthy and tender flavour.
10. It only takes approx. 2 weeks for your beetroot seedlings to appear and in 2 to 3 months time your beetroots will be ready to harvest.

Sowing & Harvesting Months
Sow: March to June
Harvest: June to October
Winter Crops of Baby Beetroots: Sow in August for harvesting in November to December.

Check out my Top Tips on How To Grow Beetroot for more information on soil, watering and storing.

Other Posts you may be interested in:

• Veg Variety Directory – Beetroot Moneta,
• Vibrant Leafy Vegetables To Add Colour To Your Beds
• 10 Reasons To Start Growing Organic Vegetables In Your Garden
• Vegetables Seeds To Sow in June and Other Months

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Tags: 10 reasons to grow beetroot, growing baby beetroot, growing beetroot, growing beetroot in a raised bed, growing beetroot moneta, harvest beetroot, sowing beetroot seeds, the nations favourite vegetable