Growing Beetroot

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Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris (var. conditiva) beet, red beet, garden beet, table beet
Other names
beet, red beet, garden beet, table beet
Botanical name
Beta vulgaris ssp. vulgaris (var. conditiva)
Plant category
Root and tuber vegetables
Beetroot

MilaVRNphotographer/Shutterstock.com

Facts and figures

Light requirements
Sun
Nutrient requirements
Medium feeder
Difficulty level
Easy
Culture (according to Gertrud Franck)
C - low growth, short growing period
Row spacing
25 cm
Plant spacing
10 cm
Growth height
15 - 35 cm
Sowing depth
3 cm
Germination temperature (minimum)
8 °C
Germination temperature (optimal)
16 - 22 °C
Germination type
Light and dark
Pre-growing period
30 days

Planting & harvest times of Beetroot

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Direct sowing
Pre-grow
Transplant
Harvest

Direct sowing from Mid April to Mid July. Transplant to bed from Mid April to Mid July. Pre-grow about 30 days before planting out, approximately between Mid March and Mid June. Harvest begins around Mid June and continues until Late November.

Good and bad companions of Beetroot

Very good neighbours
Good neighbours
Bad neighbours
Very bad neighbours

Predecessors and successors of Beetroot

Good predecessors
Bad predecessors
Very bad predecessors
Good successors
Bad successors
Very bad successors

Harvest and processing


VDB Photos/Shutterstock.com

You can harvest beetroot after 8 to 10 weeks as "baby beet". They'll be noticeably smaller but very tender and flavourful.
You can also enjoy the young leaves in baby leaf salads.
Only fully mature roots are suitable for storage, though.