YETRAC
Growing Beetroot at the Allotment: A Complete Guide
Growing Beetroot at the Allotment: A Complete Guide
Beetroot is an easy-to-grow root vegetable, offering a delicious and nutritious harvest. With different varieties available, including red, purple, blue, and even white beetroots, you can enjoy a range of flavors and colors.
Sowing Beetroot
When to Sow
- Sow directly from March through to July for harvesting from June to October.
- Beetroot prefers humus-rich soil, which is moderately firm and well-drained. If your soil is acidic, it’s recommended to dig in lime beforehand.
Planting Method
- Sow thinly in rows about one inch deep. Make sure the soil is loose and well-prepared.
- Thin seedlings once they appear to provide ample space for each plant to grow to its full size. Thinning can be done gradually as seedlings mature.
Varieties
Choose from round types, cylinder-shaped varieties, and different colors such as red/purple, blue, or white beetroot.
Growing Beetroot
Maintenance Tips
- Water generously during dry spells to prevent the soil from drying out.
- Keep the area weed-free, but hand-weed carefully to avoid damaging the shallow beetroot roots.
- As beetroot grows, harvest the smaller ones to make room for others to mature. Smaller beetroots are still edible and can be used in various recipes.
Harvesting Beetroot
Size and Timing
- Beetroots can be harvested when they reach sizes between a golf ball and a cricket ball.
- Beetroot sown later in June can stay in the ground until needed, as they withstand cooler weather.
Storage and Preservation
- Boil beetroots for half an hour, then plunge them into ice-cold water. This makes the skins easy to peel off.
- Once peeled, chop off the ends and either freeze them whole or sliced.
- Beetroot can also be pickled for long-term storage.
Edible Leaves
Beetroot leaves are also edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. They are nutrient-rich, making them a great addition to salads or stir-fries.
Growing Beetroot: A Summary
Sowing Beetroot
- Prepare the soil: Add lime for acidic soils.
- Sow directly from March to June.
- Thin seedlings as they grow.
Growing Beetroot
- Thin out the plants gradually and harvest smaller beetroots to make space.
- Water generously during dry weather.
- Hand-weed carefully to avoid damaging roots.
Harvesting Beetroot
- Harvest beetroots from golf ball size to cricket ball size.
- Harvest from June to October.
- Store by freezing or pickling.
By following these guidelines, you’ll have a steady supply of beetroot throughout the growing season, ready to enjoy in salads, soups, or preserves.
