At a glance
Beetroot is one of those vegetables that earns its place in any UK raised bed. Fast – sowing to harvest in 8-10 weeks – reliable, low maintenance once established, and sowable successionally from April to July for a continuous harvest. The deep earthy sweetness of a freshly pulled beetroot is completely different from the vinegary preserved version most people know from jars.
Best beetroot varieties for UK gardens
| Variety | Colour | Shape | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boltardy | Deep red | Round | Early sowing – bolt resistant | Best for beginners |
| Chioggia | Pink/white rings | Round | Salads, show | Beautiful variety |
| Burpee’s Golden | Golden yellow | Round | Doesn’t bleed – great for salads | Milder flavour |
| Cylindra | Deep red | Cylindrical | Even slices, good for storage | Great for cooking |
| Detroit 2 | Deep red | Round | General purpose | Reliable classic |
Sowing and thinning
Beetroot seeds are actually seed clusters – each corky seed contains 2-4 seeds, so thinning is always necessary. The thinnings are edible – beetroot micro-leaves are delicious in salads.
- 1Sow from April onwardsBeetroot needs soil temperatures above 7°C. Sow every 3-4 weeks until July for a continuous harvest all summer.
- 2Sow 2cm deep in rows 25cm apartSpace seeds 5cm apart initially. Don’t worry about sowing too thickly – the thinnings are worth eating.
- 3Thin to 8-10cm when seedlings reach 5cmSnip at soil level rather than pulling to avoid disturbing neighbours. Eat the thinnings.
Soak seeds overnight before sowing to improve germination. Beetroot seeds have a hard seed coat that slows germination in cool spring soil. Soaking for 24 hours before sowing softens the coat and typically improves germination rate and speed for early April sowings.
Care through the season
- Water consistently – erratic watering causes woody, fibrous roots. Keep soil evenly moist, especially once roots start swelling
- Keep weed-free – beetroot is suppressed by weed competition
- No need to feed – avoid high-nitrogen feeds which promote leaf growth at the expense of root development
- Earth up slightly – if roots appear above the soil surface, cover with a little compost to prevent them becoming tough
Harvesting at peak flavour
Beetroot is most tender and sweet when harvested small – golf ball to tennis ball size. Leave too long and they become woody and strong in flavour.
- Harvest when roots reach 4-8cm in diameter – visible at the soil surface for round varieties
- Twist the tops off rather than cutting – cutting causes bleeding where purple juice escapes during cooking
- Harvest sequentially – take the largest roots first and leave smaller ones to continue developing
- Young beetroot leaves are edible – use as a salad green
Twist leaves off – don’t cut them. Cutting the leaves close to the root causes excessive bleeding during cooking, losing colour and nutrients. Twist off leaving a 2-3cm stump.
Storing beetroot
- In the ground – can be left until needed, covered with straw in hard frosts. Works until November in most UK regions.
- In boxes of damp sand – twist off leaves, pack in layers with slightly damp sand in a cool shed. Keeps 3-4 months.
- Pickled – classic preservation method. Cooked, peeled beetroot in spiced vinegar keeps for months.
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Beetroot is genuinely one of the easiest crops in a UK raised bed. Sow successionally from April to July and you’ll have harvests all summer. For more on planning a productive bed read our UK seasonal planting guide.
