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Growing Beetroot
Beetroot
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Beetroot is most often eaten cold where it adds a tasty splash of
deep red to summer salads. The variety on the left is 'Wodan'. |
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QUICK GUIDE
Beetroot Folklore
Click here.
Latin Name
Beta vulgaris
Type
Edible bulb vegetable
Site and Soil
Tolerant of most soils. Sun or partial sun.
Plant to Harvest Time
10 weeks for common round types. 18 weeks for long types.
Yield
12 round types per metre (yd).
6 long types per metre (yd). |
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Beetroot can also be eaten as a hot vegetable, it's also great for
chutney. With a high sugar content it's an ideal ingredient for home-made wine. Finally, it stores very well, making it available for a massive six months
of the year. 'Beet' that for versatility!
Varieties of Beetroot
If you are not yet a connoisseur of beetroot, go for 'Bolthardy'. This variety is
resistant to bolting and can be sown as early as the weather permits. It
keeps extremely well, lasting into early Spring - the flavour is
excellent, fresh and sweet.
The table below lists some other varieties recommended by GardenAction (click
on the variety names below for a picture).
| Variety |
Type |
Colour |
Comments |
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Bolthardy |
Round / globe |
Deep red |
The best - see comments above. |
Burpee's
Golden |
Round / globe |
Orange / Gold |
A good tasting Victorian type of beetroot. The leaves are tasty
when boiled. |
| Pablo |
Round / globe |
Red |
Very uniform shape, smooth skin, good-looker |
| Red
Ace |
Round / globe |
Deep red |
Maincrop, very strong grower. |
| Wodan |
Round
/ globe |
Red |
Good all-rounder. |
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