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Vegetables and fruit

Beetroot

BetaAmaranthaceae
Also: Beet, Red beet
AT A GLANCE
Full sun Water: average H3down to −5 °C 20–30 cm tall · 10–15 cm wide In a pot: yes

Sow little and often for tender roots all summer.

Care

Light

Full sun.

Water

Medium and steady — dry spells make roots woody.

Soil

Well-drained, fertile soil.

Pruning

None. Thin seedlings, since each 'seed' is a cluster that produces several plants.

Feeding

Rarely needed in reasonable soil; a light balanced feed on poor soil.

Propagation

Sow direct every few weeks from spring to midsummer; soaking the seed clusters for an hour speeds germination. Early sowings should use a bolt-resistant variety.

Month by month

UKNorthern ItalyCentral ItalySouthern Italy and islands

Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.

  1. AprilSow direct in short rows every few weeks. how ›
  2. MayThin to one seedling per cluster.
  3. JulyPull roots young for the best texture; the leaves are edible too.

Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.

  1. AprilSow direct in short rows every few weeks. how ›
  2. MayThin to one seedling per cluster.
  3. JulyPull roots young for the best texture; the leaves are edible too.

Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.

  1. MarchSow direct in short rows every few weeks. how ›
  2. AprilThin to one seedling per cluster.
  3. JulyPull roots young for the best texture; the leaves are edible too.

Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.

  1. MarchSow direct in short rows every few weeks. how ›
  2. AprilThin to one seedling per cluster.
  3. JulyPull roots young for the best texture; the leaves are edible too.

Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.

Common problems

Bolting

How to spot it. Runs to seed.

What to do. Cold spells after early sowing; use bolt-resistant varieties.

Woody roots

How to spot it. Tough texture.

What to do. Left too long or dry; harvest young.

Birds

How to spot it. Seedlings pecked.

What to do. Cover with netting.

Questions

Beetroot: is it hardy?

H3: Half hardy. It survives down to −5 °C.

Can it grow in a pot?

Yes — round varieties in containers.

Beetroot: when do you prune it?

None.

When do you feed it?

Rarely needed in reasonable soil; a light balanced feed on poor soil.

Guides mentioned
Propagation: sowing seed
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