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Beetroot is a popular and easy-to-grow crop, ideal for beginners. Also known as beets, these plants take up very little room, especially when harvested young, so are ideal if space is limited, and they can even be grown in containers.

Sow small batches of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) regularly from spring through to mid-summer, for continuous harvests from early summer to mid-autumn. Late harvests can be stored for winter use, so you can enjoy home-grown beetroot almost all year round. Ready in as little as 40 days (though usually between 50 and 60), the roots can be harvested any time from the size of a golf ball up to a cricket ball, but don’t let them get much bigger or they may turn woody.

These sweet, colourful and nutritious roots are packed with vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds. The leaves are edible too, and often tinted or veined with red, providing ornamental appeal.

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There are many beetroot varieties to choose from, offering different root shapes and colours. Bolt

When a vegetable plant starts flowering and forming seeds, often prematurely, making the crop unusable – salad leaves may turn bitter and root crops fail to swell. Adverse weather or changes in day length can cause bolting in a wide range of vegetables, including lettuces, onions , carrots and otheer root crops. -resistant varieties are a good option, especially for early sowings, which are otherwise prone to bolting

When a vegetable plant starts flowering and forming seeds, often prematurely, making the crop unusable – salad leaves may turn bitter and root crops fail to swell. Adverse weather or changes in day length can cause bolting in a wide range of vegetables, including lettuces, onions , carrots and otheer root crops. . For easy and reliable varieties, look for those with an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which shows they performed well in our trials. See our list of AGM fruit and veg (135kB pdf) and our Recommended Varieties below. You can also pick up lots of veg-growing inspiration at the RHS gardens, which all grow a wide range of root crops.

Most beetroot varieties produce rounded or oval roots, but there are also choices with long or tapered roots. They vary in colour too – as well as the usual deep purple-red, there are varieties with crimson, orange, yellow, white or even pink-and-white striped roots. The paler colours are easier to prepare in the kitchen, as they don’t stain your hands, however the rich red and yellow pigments

Pigments are natural substances that give colour to plants, animals and other organisms. In plants, pigments are responsible for the colour of leaves and flowers. For example, chlorophyll is the pigment that gives leaves their green colour, while carotenoids and anthocyanins are responsible for the red, orange and purple colours seen in leaves during autumn. have beneficial antioxidant properties. Colour can also indicate flavour, with darker roots usually having a richer, more earthy taste and pale ones being milder and sweeter.

Beetroot leaves can be used like spinach or eaten raw when young. Many varieties produce attractive foliage with dark red veins, while‘Bull’s Blood’has particularly attractive glossy deep-red leaves that make a colourful addition to salads.

What and where to buy

You’ll find a wide selection of beetroot seeds in garden centres and from online suppliers. Some offer collections of several different coloured varieties. A few suppliers also sell young plug plants

Seedlings or young plants grown singly in small modules, with the advantage that they can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance. Bedding plants and young veg plants are often sold as plug plants of various sizes, with smaller ones requiring more aftercare. They usually need to be potted up and grown on indoors until large enough to plant outside. in spring and early summer, ready for planting outdoors.

Choose a sunny site with fertile soil that drains well and doesn’t become waterlogged

Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted. . Weed the ground thoroughly, then add plenty of organic matter, such as garden compost or well-rotted manure. This improves drainage and enriches the soil. Alternatively, if you're practicing no-dig, mulch

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings. the surface and sow or plant directly into the mulch.

If sowing in early spring, especially in heavy clay soil, it’s best to warm the ground first, for a couple of weeks, using cloches. This shouldn’t be necessary on light, sandy soil, which warms up more rapidly in spring.

Beetroot seeds are large and easy to sow, in most cases made up of a cluster of seeds rather than just one. They are usually sown straight into the ground, from early spring to mid-summer, but can also be sown in modules

Small individual cells, usually in a tray, used for sowing seeds. The resulting seedlings can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance. indoors for an early start.

Sowing indoors

Early sowings can be made indoors, especially in colder areas. Use modular trays filled with peat-free seed compost

Seed compost is a free-draining compost formulated for germinating seed. It often contains a mix of fine materials including sterilised loam, coir, coarse sand or grit. It contains low levels of nutrients, as high levels could damage seedlings. and sow one seed cluster in the centre of each, at a depth of 2.5cm (1in). If more than one seedling germinates per module, thin out the weaker ones to leave the strongest. Alternatively, to grow clumps of small roots, sow up to four seeds per module and don’t thin out the seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. . Transplant them outdoors without splitting them up (see Planting).

Sowing outdoors

Sow beetroot seeds outdoors once the weather starts to warm up in spring and the soil temperature reaches at least 7°C (45°F) – from late March or April through to July. You can sow earlier too if you wish, from late February, but choose a bolt

When a vegetable plant starts flowering and forming seeds, often prematurely, making the crop unusable – salad leaves may turn bitter and root crops fail to swell. Adverse weather or changes in day length can cause bolting in a wide range of vegetables, including lettuces, onions , carrots and otheer root crops. -resistant variety and cover the row with biodegradable fleece or cloches to encourage germination

Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light. . If you make regular sowings of short rows every few weeks, you’ll have harvests over a long period.

After preparing the ground, sow the seeds in drills, 2.5cm (1in) deep, with 30cm (1ft) between rows. Water along the base of the drill

A miniature furrow typically 1–5cm deep, made with a stick, hoe or rake. It is used for planting seeds or bulbs, and ensures they are positioned at the correct depth and spacing. , then sow the seeds 10cm (4in) apart – the corky seed clusters are quite large, so are easy to sow individually. Alternatively, sow two or three seeds together, spacing each group 15cm (6in) apart, to produce clusters of smaller roots, ideal for harvesting as baby veg. This option is also useful when space is tight. Cover the seeds with soil, then water the row if the ground is dry.

Sowing outdoors in containers

Beetroot seeds can also be sown in a large container at least 40cm (16in) wide, positioned in a sunny spot. Select varieties with rounded roots, rather than long deep ones. Fill the container with peat-free multi-purpose compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. then water well. Space the seeds 10cm (4in) apart and cover with about 2.5cm (1in) of compost.

Thinning out seedlings

There is usually no need to thin out beetroot seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. if you want to harvest the roots when small, about the size of a golf ball. But if you want larger roots, up to cricket ball size, then thin the seedlings once they are about 2.5cm (1in) tall, thinning

Pulling out some of the seedlings, usually along a row, so the remaining seedlings are spaced further apart. It reduces overcrowded, which can hinder their growth. them out to 10cm (4in) apart and removing the weaker ones. You can add the thinnings to salads.

Young beetroot plants grown from seed in modules

Small individual cells, usually in a tray, used for sowing seeds. The resulting seedlings can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance. indoors, or bought as plug plants, can be planted outside once they’re at least 5cm (2in) tall and well rooted. Harden them off first, to acclimatise them to outdoor conditions, and prepare the soil as outlined above.

If planting in a container, choose one that’s at least 40cm (16in) wide and deep, and fill with peat-free multi-purpose compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. . Transfer each module straight into the ground or the container, taking care to avoid any root disturbance. Space single plug plants

Seedlings or young plants grown singly in small modules, with the advantage that they can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance. Bedding plants and young veg plants are often sold as plug plants of various sizes, with smaller ones requiring more aftercare. They usually need to be potted up and grown on indoors until large enough to plant outside. 10cm (4in) apart. If the modules contain several plants, don’t split them up, just plant each clump 15cm (6in) apart. Firm in gently and water well.

Watering

Water seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. regularly during dry spells, until they are well rooted and growing strongly. Once established, beetroots don’t usually need much watering, although the roots will generally be more tender if the soil is kept fairly moist.

A lack of water can cause the roots to turn woody, while uneven watering may cause them to split. But don’t be over-generous – excessive watering can lead to too much leafy growth, at the expense of root growth. So, during dry spells or in very free-draining soil, water every 10–14 days. Plants in containers need regular watering throughout their growing period, as the limited amount of compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. dries out quickly.

Feeding

If your plants aren’t growing strongly and need a boost, apply an organic high-nitrogen liquid fertiliser.

Weeding

Weed regularly to reduce competition for nutrients

To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key nutrients usually taken up from the soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Plants also need carbon, oxygen and hydrogen to make carbohydrates — their main energy source. Carbon and oxygen come from the air as carbon dioxide, while hydrogen is drawn from water absorbed by the roots. Other important soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain enough of these nutrients to support healthy plant growth. and water. This is particularly important while the plants are young. It’s best to weed by hand close to the plants, to avoid accidentally damaging the top of the root with a hoe blade.

Beetroot can be harvested from early summer through to mid-autumn, depending on sowing time and variety. Loosen the soil with a hand fork, then lift out alternate plants once the roots reach golf-ball size, leaving the rest to grow to maturity if you wish. Harvest these when no larger than a cricket ball.

The roots can be eaten raw, especially when young, or can be steamed or roasted to bring out their sweet flavour. Bear in mind – red varieties will stain your hands, so you may want to wear rubber gloves when preparing them.

Beetroot leaves can be cooked like spinach, and young leaves can be added raw to salads. The leaves can either be harvested at the same time as the root or you can take a few leaves from each plant through the growing season. Just be careful to leave at least four or five on each plant, to help it continue growing strongly and swelling its root.

Beetroots sown from June onwards can be harvested in autumn and stored for use in winter. Larger roots store better than small ones. Harvest carefully to avoid damaging them, brush off the soil and cut or twist off the leaves about 2.5cm (1in) from the base. Then place in a container of dry sand, potting compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. or coir, in a garage or shed, where they should keep for at least a couple of months.

In mild locations where there is no risk of the soil freezing in winter, late crops of beetroot can be left in the ground until needed.

Beetroots are easy to grow, resilient and usually trouble free. Harvest when young and water in dry spells to prevent them turning woody. In hot, dry weather or if sown in very cool conditions, beetroots may bolt(produce flowers rather than swelling the root) – to avoid this, choose bolt

When a vegetable plant starts flowering and forming seeds, often prematurely, making the crop unusable – salad leaves may turn bitter and root crops fail to swell. Adverse weather or changes in day length can cause bolting in a wide range of vegetables, including lettuces, onions , carrots and otheer root crops. -resistant varieties. For more on this and other issues, see Common problems below.