How to grow beetroot

It doesn’t get fresher than produce that comes straight from your own… living room. That’s right, beetroot does just as well grown in pots indoors as it does planted in outdoor garden beds.

Beetroot like to be grown in the cooler months, so late February is a great time to get yours planted. It takes about 90 days for your beet to become golfball size, which is when they’ll taste their best.

As with most herbs, fruits and vegetables grown from seed, it’s best to get beetroot started in a seedling tray and then repot when the baby plants are 3-5cm tall. 

When choosing a pot or patch of your garden bed for beetroot seedlings, leave at least three inches between each plant to give it enough space as it grows. Beetroot, as the name suggests, is a root vegetable so it needs depth - allow at least 20cm wherever you plant yours.

Beetroot is a pretty low-maintenance veg. Once you’ve established your seedlings, you should: 

1. Water occasionally. They’re not big drinkers so it’s ok to let the soil become dry before you water it again. 
2. Make sure your beetroot is getting enough light. If you’re growing beetroot indoors, use props like crates or plant stands to raise the pot so it can sit by the window. Your growing plants will need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day, and you may need to rotate the pot. 

To help your beetroot vegetable grow larger, snip off the leaves around the edges as they become bushy.

Luckily you shouldn’t have too many issues with your beetroot. As with many herbs and vegetables, overwatering or letting the leaves get wet can upset them, so water sparingly and avoid splashing the leaves.

Full grown beetroot taste best when they’re about the size of a golfball, which is usually about the twelve week mark. Baby beets are a little sweeter than their full grown counterparts, so pick them around six weeks. To harvest your beetroot, pull the whole plant out of the dirt it’s growing in and remove the stems and leaves.

Beetroot is a versatile vegetable and a great way to add colour to your meal. Whip up a vibrant dip or roast in chunks for a delicious earthy flavour.