of an all purpose fertilizer (10-10-10- or 16-16-18) per 100 square feet (255 cm.). Sprinkle the food along the side of the plants and water it in. Cover the seed with 2 cm of soil and water again. Beetroot seed production is different in structure than other garden seeds. of well composted organic matter and work in 2-4 cups (470-950 ml.) With their earthy sweetness and rich color, beets are delicious pickled, roasted, steamed or baked. Water your plants daily until the leaves begin to sprout, then water them every 10-14 days if the weather is dry, and not at all during periods of normal rainfall. Sow your seeds or plant your seedlings after the last frost of the year. Tasty greens are a special treat, and are very easy to grow. So the container or … ", "Thanks, you covered all my questions in your video. After sowing carefully rake the soil back over the drill to leave a fine surface. White and golden varieties take about half as long to grow and don't bleed in salads (the downside being they don't have that beautiful carmine color). Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. If you’ve been put off the idea of growing beetroot because of memories of vinegary slices in salads, think again. You can sow without protection from late March onwards. Work this all into the top 6 inches (15 cm.) I'm sure I will harvest a good, "I have planted some. I’ve always been one to thin my vegetable seedlings, beetroot included. They will germinate within 10 to 14 days and will reach maturity in 12 to 16 weeks. Fill the pot up to the top with loose, multi-purpose compost. tall. Thanks. Generally they're ready around 8 weeks after sowing, or when the veggie reaches 2.5cm (1 inch) in diameter. Thin the new seedlings to leave the strongest otherwise the beets will be crowded and remain small. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It's actually these antioxidants, packed inside beetroot's red pigments, that contain cancer-preventing and heart-protecting properties. The "Boltardy" variety of beetroot is best if you're sowing early. Be aware that this can cause the beetroots to develop a woody texture. To do this, take a container and line the bottom with 5 cm (2 inches) of sand. The chaff can be winnowed and the seeds plucked out. I worked in the, "All the steps from the beginning to the end helped. They love to eat the beet leaves. I'm a nutritionist. Beetroot (also known by its colloquial name, "beets," or beta vulgaris) is a sweet, healthy vegetable loaded with antioxidants. Then, when the seedlings reach 2 cm (about an inch) in height, remove the weaker of the seedlings to give the vigorous plants room to grow – aim for about 12cm (5 inches) between seeds. How to Sow and Grow Beetroot Sow outdoors thinly, March-July, where they are to crop, 2.5cm (1in) deep, directly into finely-prepared, well cultivated, fertile soil, which has already been watered and enriched with well-rotted garden compost or manure (such as Orgro). Why not have a go? It’s important to keep the soil moist in early stages of growth and during dry weather once they are up and running. How to Sow Beet Seed To sow, first mark out seed drills into prepared soil. If you’re gardening on heavy soil, try using cloches or clear polythene to speed up soil warming on the veg plot. ", first season. 5. Planting some mint in with the beets discourages the ants and can help keep them out of the garden. Beets are a favorite direct sow vegetable for spring or fall. Beet seeds can be tricky to germinate, because of a hard covering. I would wait 20-25 days before transplanting your seed. Once you have sprouts, only water them every 10-14 days in dry spells. Then, repeat until the container is full. Very educational and helpful. In many planting zones, beets can be grown in both spring and fall. Beetroot seeds take between 12 and 24 days to germinate. multi-pharmaceutical company since long time, but I never take a medicine when I get sick. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Support wikiHow by Applying too much nitrogen can cause lots of leafy growth and little root development. Therefore, thinning a beet seedling row is crucial to a vigorous beet crop. Thanks! By using our site, you agree to our. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 400,370 times. In other words, each “seed” contains two to five seeds; hence, beetroot seed … This is best done in free-draining soil in full sun. Apart from these things, the variety you choose will depend on the look and flavor that appeals to you most. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you want to grow beetroot, pick a spot with rich, fertile soil that receives plenty of sunlight, although a little shade is okay. Place a Beetroot Seed. Remove any weak seedlings, cut rather than pull the seedlings, which will disturb the roots of abutting plants. "Have never grown beetroot, so this article is full of useful info. Beets require rich soil that is high in organic matter. Sow in rows 30cm (1') apart and at a depth of 2.5cm (1") leaving 5cm (2") between each seed cluster. First, wait until the beet tops have turned brown before attempting beet seed harvesting. Allow 30cm (1ft) between rows. This doesn't mean you should throw them away, however. Transplants do very well, so plant into the garden at the desired final spacing. ", "This was very helpful, as I'm growing beetroot. Seed can be sown directly into the soil from April to July. How long should I wait before doing a transplant after sowing the seed? Don't shy away from seeds – beetroot is notoriously easy to take care of. ", "The idea to twist the leaves when removing them, rather than cutting them, is totally new to me. In this article I will teach you step by step how to grow your own beetroot from seed. Learn more about growing beets. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.growingyourownveg.com/how-to-grow/beetroot.html, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/vegetables/beetroot, http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingbeetroot1.shtml, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Beetroot seed production is different in structure than other garden seeds. Figure out what is eating the beetroot. That being said, avoid over-watering. If you notice large leaves and smaller roots, reduce fertiliser applications or switch to a fertiliser with lower nitrogen levels. I treat myself with natural vegetables and fruit. Can flies cause my beetroot to become transparent and withered? This allows the others to grow bigger more quickly. In the northern hemisphere, sow seeds after the last frost. Now cover with plastics or a plastic lid. Not if you want to eat the beetroot. Beets are cool season veggies grown primarily for their roots, or occasionally for the nutritious beet tops. ", "Thank you I did learn new things, you did help me. They will need thinning out twice.