How to Grow Beetroot – A Reliable Crop for Any UK Garden

Beetroot is one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow. Whether you love them roasted, pickled or grated raw into salads, their earthy sweetness and vibrant colour make them a standout crop.

Here’s everything you need to know to grow brilliant beetroot in your own veg plot.

When to Sow

Sow beetroot from March to July, either directly where they’re to grow or into modules for transplanting.

For the best results:

  • Sow successionally every 2–3 weeks to keep a steady supply
  • For early sowings, use cloches or fleece to warm the soil

Where and How

  • Soil: Light, fertile, and free-draining. Avoid freshly manured beds as this can cause forking.
  • Spacing: Sow seeds 10cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Beetroot ‘seeds’ are actually clusters, so thin them once seedlings are up.
  • Light: Full sun is best, but they’ll tolerate partial shade.

Growing On

  • Watering: Keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells. Inconsistent watering can lead to woody roots.
  • Feeding: Generally not needed unless your soil is poor. A balanced organic feed once or twice can help in containers.

Harvesting

  • Start harvesting baby beets when they’re the size of a golf ball (about 8–10 weeks from sowing). Leave others to grow on to tennis ball size.
  • Don’t let them get too big or they may become tough and woody.

Top Tip:

Don’t throw away the leaves! Beetroot tops are edible and great wilted like spinach or added to stir fries.

Favourite Varieties

  • Boltardy – Reliable and bolt-resistant, perfect for early sowing.
  • Chioggia – Italian heirloom with striking pink and white rings.
  • Detroit Globe – Classic round shape and deep red colour.

Whether you’re new to gardening or just want a no-fuss crop that looks as good as it tastes, beetroot is an easy win.

Have you grown beetroot before? Share your favourite varieties or tips in the comments!

The post How to Grow Beetroot – A Reliable Crop for Any UK Garden appeared first on The Veg Grower Podcast.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

591 Small Changes, Big Impact: Potato Prep, Leeks & A Mini Greenhouse Build

As we edge closer to spring, there’s nothing like a bit of time on the allotment to lift the spirits. This week on The Veg Grower Podcast , I share how preparing the potato beds for planting has helped me shake off the winter blues and get excited for the growing season ahead. We also have our seed of the month. This month its the winter hardy favourite leeks. Getting Ready for Potatoes : Allotment update With just a few weeks until planting time, I’ve been busy prepping my potato beds. There’s something therapeutic about working the soil, clearing any weeds, and ensuring the ground is in the best condition for a good crop. It’s amazing how focusing on simple tasks like this can boost your mood and set you up for a productive season ahead. Seed of the Month: Leeks In our seed of the month segment, we’re talking about leeks—an incredibly versatile and hardy crop that no veg grower should be without. I’ll be sharing why I love growing leeks, how to get them started, and some tips to ...
Read more

Unleash Your Green Thumb: Discover Click and Grow’s Revolutionary Indoor Gardening Solutions

Image
# ​Click and Grow Product Reviews: A Dive into Indoor Gardening Technology Indoor gardening enthusiasts are always on the lookout for innovative solutions to grow their favorite plants despite limited space. ​Click and Grow has emerged as a frontrunner in this space, offering a range of products designed for both novices and seasoned gardeners. In this article, we will delve into ​Click and Grow ’s offerings, dive into their smart garden technology, and explore how you can grow your own indoor garden easily. What is ​Click and Grow ? ​Click and Grow is a revolutionary brand that specializes in smart gardening solutions. Their commitment to simplicity and efficiency makes it easy for anyone to cultivate a variety of plants right from the comfort of their home. The company uses advanced technology to automate much of the growing process, thereby eliminating common gardening challenges such as overwatering or underfeeding. The Smart Garden Experience At the heart of ​Click and...
Read more

Scott’s Moroccan Meatball And Aubergine Bake

Good evening, it's Scott here with this week's recipe! Lately, I've been harvesting a bumper crop of aubergines, including a variety called 'White Knight' that’s been particularly prolific. With such a bountiful harvest, I’ve been trying out all sorts of dishes, but my favourite by far this year is the one I’m sharing with you today: a Moroccan Meatball and Aubergine Bake. This dish features succulent lamb meatballs and tender aubergine baked in a rustic tomato sauce, all topped with crumbled feta and vibrant pomegranate seeds. It’s a fantastic way to use up any homegrown tomatoes you might have. If you follow a plant-based diet, you can easily swap the lamb meatballs for plant-based alternatives or even use smoked tofu, which works beautifully in this recipe. So, let’s not delay—let’s head to the kitchen and get cooking! As always, you can find this recipe, along with many others, on the veggrowerpodcast.co.uk and on my Instagram, @seedtotableplot13. This rec...
Read more