Taking care of your plants

OVERVIEW

An easy root crop producing round, colourful roots with a sweet, earthy flavour. Also gives tasty leaves that can be picked young for salads. Water in dry weather to prevent woody roots. Excellent roasted, pickled, grated raw, or added to salads and dips.

• Vegetable type: Beetroot
• Key characteristic: Earthy, colourful roots that can also be enjoyed for their young leaves.
• Hardiness: Hardy (tolerates normal Uk winter conditions).

PLANTING ADVICE  

Plant in well-drained, fertile soil. Suitable for both ground and containers.

• Outdoor cultivation

Grow in well-drained, fertile soil. Suitable for both ground and containers.

• Greenhouse cultivation

Not suitable for greenhouse cultivation.

CARE & HARVEST

Keep soil moist and weed free. Keep soil weed free so roots can develop properly. Thin seedlings where necessary to give plants enough space. Harvest at the recommended size for best flavour and texture.

• Watering: Water during dry spells to prevent roots becoming woody or splitting. Aim to keep soil evenly moist.
• Feeding: Avoid high-nitrogen feeds; use a balanced fertiliser before planting if soil is poor.
• Cutting and prunning: Remove any damaged or diseased growth as needed.
• Harvesting: Harvest when roots reach golf-ball to tennis-ball size for tender texture.
• Pest and diseases: Monitor regularly for pests and remove affected growth promptly.

VERVE RECOMMENDS

• Use harvested leaves in salads while roots are maturing.