Organic Gardening:

How to grow organic Beetroot

Younger, smaller roots are the sweetest

Beetroot (Beet) Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris Family: Chenopodiaceae (Group 1)

Beetroot is called Beet in America. This page relates only to beet grown for roots. Beet grown for leaves is on a separate page.

Home grown beetroot can be eaten all year round — fresh from June to late Autumn, from store until March, then pickled for the final 3 months.

Beetroot is divided into three main varieties, Globe, Round or Ball varieties, Cylindrical, Tankard or Intermediate varieties and Long, long-rooted or Tapered varieties. In addition, apart from the traditional deep red colour, there are also yellow, white and even striped varieties, claimed by many to be superior in flavour, and possessing the advantage (from a mum's point of view) of not staining children's clothes.

Beetroot seed, in most cases, is really a cluster of two or three seeds, all of which may germinate, and the plants will therefore need thinning, unless one of the new 'monogerm' varieties is used. They contain a natural inhibitor, which may prevent germination altogether. To improve the chances of successful germination, soak the seed in tepid water for half an hour before sowing or 'wash' them in flour.

A minimum soil temperature of 44ºF (7ºC) is required for germination. Also, some cultivars are very prone to bolt if sown to early in the year, or in unfavourable conditions.

Bolt-resistant varieties should be used for early sowings. If possible, warm the soil beforehand with cloches, jelly sow or sow indoors in modules and plant out. Beetroot responds well to being multi-sown in modules (3 seeds or 1 cluster per module) and planted out at about 50mm (2") high. Crop covers such as fleece can be used in the early stages to good effect.

Sow in rows about 23cm (9") apart for earlies, 30cm (12") for maincrop and 8cm (3") for pickling. Space plants 10cm (3½") apart for earlies and maincrop, 8cm (2½") for picklers (the ideal size for pickling is about 25mm (2") in diameter). Sow seed 50mm (1") deep.

If you want to grow good quality beetroot, it will need watering if the season is dry: 10 litres/sq metre (2 gals/sq yard) every 2-3 weeks. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. However, over-watering will lead to excessive leaf production.

Harvest as required, lifting the main crop in October. Twist off tops (do not cut) and store undamaged roots in clamps, or boxes of moist sand or peat. They will keep until April.

Pests, diseases and disorders

Cutworm and black bean aphid may sometimes be a problem. Diseases include damping off and leaf spots. Beetroot is susceptible to mineral deficiencies, especially manganese and boron, on alkaline soils. If you suspect this is, or may be, a problem, use a half-strength seaweed solution as a foliar feed every fortnight during the growing season.