Today, I planted ten punnets of beetroot “Detroit Red” seedlings in a large area that we had used to grow brassicas during winter. Normally, I sow beetroot from seed in September, but I couldn’t resist purchasing seedlings when Kings Plant Barn had a special on punnets for just 99 cents each about a month ago. I left the seedlings in our patio so they could grow a bit bigger before I planted them out. I also wanted to wait for the weather to warm up a bit as the beginning of spring can be quite temperamental.
The process of planting beetroot is fairly simple. I don’t like using compost in areas where I grow root crops, as I’ve noticed they can become forked due to too much nitrogen in the soil. However, I mixed a little Yates Thrive Natural Blood and Bone (for heathy leaves) and some superphosphate (for strong roots) into the soil prior to planting. Make sure you leave enough space between plants so they have enough room to grow. If you’re growing beetroot from seed, you should find that your seeds germinate fairly easily. I normally just sow them in a punnet with a little seed raising mix and leave them in our patio until the seedlings are large enough to transplant outside. Alternatively, you can try sowing direct. I have done this successfully using Yates beetroot “Detroit Red” seed tape in the past. The seeds are already spaced out evenly, so you won’t need to thin your seedlings. Beetroot also grows well in autumn. In winter, I find that the plants tend not to bulb up due to cooler temperatures but gardeners in other regions might have a different experience. In previous seasons, I found beetroot matured fairly quickly, in 2-3 months. Beetroot can be consumed raw or cooked. We love having it grated in salads and on homemade hamburgers. Is anyone else growing beetroot in their garden this year?
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