General
Beetroot is a cool‑season root crop grown for sweet, tender roots and nutritious greens. It prefers steady, cool conditions (8–24°C) and will tolerate light frosts. Uniform moisture and a friable, stone‑free soil are key to round, unforked roots. Sow successions every 2–3 weeks from spring into mid‑summer for a prolonged harvest. Varieties differ: round types mature quickly; cylindrical types give uniform slices; golden and striped types bleed less when cooked. Keep pH at 6.0–7.5 to reduce scab risk.
Light
Full sun to light partial shade (minimum 6 hours of direct sun).
Soil type
Loose, deep, well‑drained loam enriched with mature compost; avoid fresh manure. Remove stones and clods to prevent forked roots.
Water requirement
Even moisture; about 20–25 mm per week. Do not let soil dry out during bulbing.
Nutrient requirement
Moderate feeder. Prioritize potassium and phosphorus; avoid excess nitrogen which causes lush tops and small roots.
Precultivation
Beets are best direct‑sown, but can be module‑grown to get a head start. Sow 2–3 seeds (multigerm clusters) per 4–5 cm cell, 2–3 cm deep, at 10–15°C+. Thin to one strong seedling per cell after emergence. Provide bright light to prevent legginess. Harden off 5–7 days before transplanting once nights are reliably above 5–8°C.
Planting
Direct sow 2–3 cm deep, rows 25–30 cm apart. After emergence, thin to 8–10 cm between plants (use thinnings as baby greens). For transplants, set modules 8–10 cm apart in rows 25–30 cm apart, keeping the crown at soil level. Water in well and mulch lightly to preserve moisture. Avoid compacting soil over the seed line; a light rake is sufficient.
Pruning
No pruning required. Remove yellowed or pest‑damaged leaves to improve airflow. Do not overremove foliage, as it feeds root development.
Maintenance
Keep the bed weed‑free during the first month—shallow hoeing to protect shallow roots. Mulch with fine compost or straw once seedlings are established. Side‑dress lightly in early June with a balanced, low‑nitrogen organic fertilizer or compost. Maintain steady irrigation; drought causes woody roots and zoning. Micronutrient note: boron deficiency can cause black heart/hollow centers—avoid over‑liming and maintain organic matter; if soils are known deficient, apply a labeled boron source at very low rates only. Rotate out of beet/chard/spinach for 3–4 years.
Harvest
Baby beets at 3–5 cm diameter; main crop at 5–8 cm for best texture and sweetness. Harvest by loosening soil with a fork and pulling by the crown. Twist off leaves to 2–3 cm to reduce bleeding; greens are excellent as a vegetable. For storage, cure briefly in a cool, shaded place, then refrigerate unwashed in perforated bags. Late plantings can stand in the ground into autumn; protect with fleece against early hard frosts.
Common issues
Pests: leaf miners (remove and destroy mined leaves; use row cover), flea beetles (row cover, trap crops), aphids (encourage beneficials, soft soap sprays). Diseases: Cercospora leaf spot (wider spacing, resistant varieties), downy mildew (airflow), scab (avoid high pH and fresh manure; keep moisture even). Physiological: bolting after cold snaps or if transplanted too old; woody or cracked roots from drought/irregular watering.
Rotation schedule
Rotate all Chenopodiaceae (beet, chard, spinach) on a 3–4 year cycle. Follow legumes or well‑composted beds; avoid preceding crops heavily manured that year. Good sequence: legumes → beet → brassicas → alliums → roots/leafy → back to legumes.
Pollination
Wind‑pollinated biennial (flowers in year 2; usually harvested in year 1).
Companion plants
Lettuce, onions, garlic, dill, kohlrabi, bush beans, cabbage family (moderate spacing).
Incompatible plants
Pole beans, fennel, Swiss chard and spinach (same pest/disease complex), potatoes directly adjacent.
