Beta vulgaris
HEIGHT: 30cm
DISTANCE APART: 20cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: As the beetroot grows, its crown will start to push its way above the soil so it is really easy to see what size it is. Pull it out when it is between 6 and 8cm across.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day unless it rains.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes. Fill a large pot that is 25cm deep with premium potting mix, plant the seedlings and water them well. Make sure that the container gets plenty of sunlight.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes, choose a spot that gets 6 hours of sun. Mix lots of compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water well. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Beetroot is best buddies with onions, lettuce, spinach, rainbow chard and silverbeet.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Water daily and apply a liquid fertiliser every fortnight.
- Don’t be concerned if the bulbs push themselves above the soil surface, this is quite normal. Don’t be tempted to cover them over as this might cause them to rot.
- Harvest the young leaves and mix them through salads.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.