Red Beet Red Ball 2 - beet seeds

Beta vulgaris

Beetroot is a biennial vegetable that was bred from Mediterranean wild beet. The bulbs contain 7–10% carbohydrates, 2% fibre, plenty of vitamin C, potassium, calcium, sodium and a whole range of organic acids such as tartaric and malic acid.

Beetroot leaves can be eaten as a leaf salad. It can be prepared in many ways.

How to grow beetroot

• Requires a bright location, full sun is not a problem. Adequate soil moisture is important. During the growing season, we loosen and weed the soil.

• Seeds are sown directly in their permanent location from April to June. Seeds should be placed 2–3 cm deep in the soil, at a spacing of 30×10–15 cm. After germination, seedlings need to be thinned out.

• Medium-heavy soil full of nutrients is suitable. This soil should be humus-rich and slightly alkaline.

• Do not fertilise with organic fertilisers, as they accumulate nitrates in the root. During the growing season, we supply sufficient nutrients through continuous fertilisation with complex NPK fertiliser with microelements, especially boron.

• Plants are attacked by poppy aphid and beet fly, and the most common disease is leaf spot.

• Beetroot is harvested in autumn before winter frosts. We clean it thoroughly before storage.