iGrowVeg

Top Tips on How To Grow Beetroot

Posted on 08. Jun, 2010 by Tracey in How to Grow Veg

Beetroot is one of those vegetables that likes a well prepared soil so it can settle in and get on growing in your plot. If you would like to try growing beetroot, read my 10 Reasons To Grow Beetroot and if you want to grow great beetroot, heres a few top tips to get the best from the nations favourite vegetable.

1. Beetroot and Soil Requirements

• It loves well fertilised soil, rich in organic matter. This means lots of compost (multi-purpose or homemade) dug into the soil,
• Beetroot does not like freshly manured soil as its roots will bend, it can benefit from being sown on soil which has had previous crops of beans or peas grown on it as it likes a high nitrogen content.
• When the beets begin to swell, a liquid fertiliser can be added to boost nutrients which is high in Potassium (K) or potash, this helps the uptake of nutrients from the soil and helps the plant fight against pests and diseases.

2. Beetroot and Sowing Seeds

Beetroot Seeds

• Beetroot seeds come in pellets which have clusters of up to 5 seeds in them. When you sow 1 cluster you are actually sowing up to 5 seeds. Therefore if they all germinate, they will require thinning out at a later stage so they don’t become overcrowded.
• Beetroot cluster seeds are white as the seeds have been coated in a clay-based coat called Filcoat invented by Charlesworth in 1978 and an insecticide which will breakdown easily when in contact with water. This is why some people soak their beetroot seeds in warm water for 20-30 minutes before sowing into modules, pots or direct into raised beds, it is said to help the breakdown of clay so the seeds can germinate more readily,
• Beetroot seeds also come in the form of monogerm seeds, where each seed will produce one plant (like the variety Moneta), if sown sparingly, they will not require thinning.

3. Beetroot and Watering Seedlings

• Beetroot seedlings require regular watering and do not let the soil dry out in hot conditions otherwise the beetroot globe may become woody,
• Overwatering may cause the beets to split.
• Water the soil around the roots and not the leaves to avoid diseases on the leaves occurring.

4. Beetroot and Harvesting

Beetroot Closeup

• Beetroot can be harvested between 2 to 3 months after sowing the seeds once the bulbs have reached 1 inch in diameter,
• Once the first young and tender ones have been harvested, this will leave space for the remaining crop to fatten up to 3 inches wide at which they must be harvested to avoid the woody taste.
• When harvesting beetroot take care not to damage or bruise them (as this will cause bleeding of the reddy colour and these damaged ones cannot be stored), carefully move the soil out of the way with a trowel or fork, before lifting from the soil.

5. Beetroot and Storing

• If storing the beetroot, twist or cut off the leaves (not too close to the bulb) whilst in the ground and gently harvest the plant by loosening with a trowel to keep the root intact, this will keep them fresh for longer and stop the colour ‘bleeding’ out.
• Check your crop before storing, if there is any damaged beetroots, do not store as they will rot and ruin your stored crop,
• To store them for long period of time, store in boxes, these can be plastic filled with sand (the type from child’s sand pits not builders sand) in a cool, dark, frost free place like a shed or garage.
• Beetroots in storage will last for 2 to 3 months

Other Beetroot Related Posts:

• 10 Reasons To Grow Beetroot
• Growing Beetroot – Variety Moneta
• Click Here For More Top Tips and Growing Guides.

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