Beetroot

Sow beetroot regularly for continuous crops of golf ball-sized roots - which are the sweetest and most flavoursome. There's lots of different varieties too, so you can grow yellow, stripy or long, tapering roots. 

How to grow beetroot

You can sow seed in modules in the greenhouse to get them started, and harden them off. Or sow direct once the soil is warm, 2.5cm deep. Choose a sheltered site, prepared with lots of organic matter, such as your own compost. They also grow well in containers.

Harvesting and using beetroot

Sweet baby beets can be ready in as little as 40 days - or you can let them grow on and become larger to store over winter. They can be used for all sorts of recipes from roasts and salads to borscht (a classic soup) and even dips. And don't forget the leaves - they're edible too!

Tips for growing beets

Beets dislike waterlogging so ensure the growing area is free draining. If growing in containers, overwatering can lead to lots of leafy growth but smaller roots. However, a lack of water can make the roots woody - so getting the balance right is essential.

Saving beet seed

The seeds are mature when they start to turn brown, which they do successively from the base of the flower spike upwards. They do not fall off readily so can be left on the plant until all are ripe, and then you can harvest the whole stem. Beetroot and chard are the same species and because they're wind pollinated they will easily cross-pollinate. Read our full seed saving guidelines here.