Beetroot Seeds

How To Grow

Sowing/Planting Seed:

Can be sown outdoors until July (seeds need high temperature to germinate) in medium to light soil (not recently fertilised)
Before you sow your beetroot seed, soak them in room temperature water for one hour
Sow in rows - place seed 2 cm deep, 5 cm between seeds. If planting more than one row, ensure rows are 30cm apart where they will get sun
A beetroot seed is a cluster of seeds, so if they all germinate you will need to thin out (e.g. cut extra seedlings at stem, leaving the strongest remaining plant).
Ensure soil around plant is kept weed free and ensure they are kept moist.
Water them a lot if weather is hot to prevent plant bolting (the plant sends up a flower stalk and becomes inedible).
To encourage growth and deter pests, feed every 3 - 4 weeks with organic fertiliser (e.g. dried seaweed fertiliser, sachets available on sow.ie)

Growing Time:

Harvest:

Start to harvest when approx. 4 - 5 cm in diameter (golf ball size)
Pull every second plant leaving room for others to grow larger, but don’t let them grow larger than 6 - 7 cm diameter tennis ball or they will lose taste
Twist the leaves off a few cm above root as opposed to cutting them off - this prevents bleeding

Tip: One of the easiest vegetables to grow! Beetroot can be planted in the same soil year after year.