Beetroot Seeds (Boltardy)

Index

• Sowing Instructions (Indoors)
• How to Transplant
• Sowing Instructions (Outdoors)
• Crop Maintenance
• How to Harvest
• Storage
• Pests & Diseases

Sowing Instructions (Indoors)

• Sowing time: You can sow under glass in late February into March
• Sow in fibre pots to prevent disturbance to roots
• Sow 3 seeds in the centre of each fibre pot
• Soak soil before sowing seeds & cover seeds lightly with soil
• Thin out seedlings once they emerge to one seedling per pot

How to Transplant

• Harden off seedlings before planting out
• Ensure weather is warm before planting out
• If using fibre pots, plant the seedling with fibre pot in soil
• If using seed trays take care not to disturb roots when transplanting
• Spacing: Space seedlings 10cm apart
• Position in full Sun
• Soil: Beetroot likes light fertile, moist soil
• Prefers ground that hasn't had organic matter recently added
• Grow in soil with a pH of neutral to alkaline
• Soil should be well dug and light to allow for good root development

Sowing Instructions (Outdoors)

• Sowing Time: Sow from late March to July
• Wait until frost has passed

• Beetroot needs high soil temperature to germinate
• The night before you sow your beetroot seed soak them in room temperature water for several hours
• Sow directly in prepared drills
• Prepare drills 1cm deep and 30cm between rows

• Sow seeds thinly, 3-5cm apart

• Thin once seedlings are large enough to handle

Crop Maintenance

• Do not sow in the ground too early as this can lead to bolting
• Avoid Irregular watering or poor weather as this can lead to bolting
• Protect early sown crops with a garden cloche
• Keep the rows weed free and well watered
• A small scattering of growmore or fish, blood and bone can increase vegetable vigour

Harvesting

• Beetroot 'greens' can be harvested early by removing with a knife
• Beetroot can be harvested when 10cm in diameter
• Pull every second plant, leaving room for others to develop into larger crops
• Pull by hand or using a garden fork
• Do not let beetroot get too big as this will reduce the flavor
• Shake off the soil and twist the leaves off as opposed to cutting them off
• This prevents bleeding

Storage

• Can be placed in the fridge for short term storage
• For longer term storage the beetroot must be kept in a cool, dark and dry area
• Keep away from strong flavors or scents
• Beetroot will keep for 6 months this way
• Root can also be kept in the freezer once it has been boiled and sliced
• Beetroot can also be pickled in vinegar for preservation

Pests & Diseases

• Beetroot has no real serious pests or disease problems
• However baron deficiency is sometimes seen in the crop
• Damage: Leaf yellowing and scorching
• Reduce attack by careful soil preparation and general maintenance of the crop
• Other pests and diseases include mangold fly, heart rot, black leg and bolting
• However these are very uncommon