Growing beetroot: a comprehensive guide for hobby gardeners
Beet (Beta vulgaris) is a nutritious vegetable and an excellent choice for growing in your own garden. It is versatile, beneficial to health and easy to cultivate even in smaller gardens. Here you can find out everything you need to know about growing beetroot, from the right location to harvesting.
1. why should you grow beet?
Beet has numerous health benefits: it contains many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. In particular, it is known for its high content of folic acid, iron and betaine, which supports the circulation and liver. Beet is also a true all-rounder in the kitchen: it can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted or pickled.
2. the ideal location for beet
Beet grows best in a sunny to semi-shady location. Make sure that the soil is well-drained to avoid waterlogging. A sandy, humus-rich soil is ideal. If your garden soil is heavy, you can improve it with compost or sand to increase the permeability.
Soil preparation:
Dig the soil deeply to give the roots enough space to grow.
Loosen the soil and remove stones that could hinder root growth.
A pH value of 6.0 to 7.5 is optimal for cultivation.
3. sowing the beetroot
The best time to sow beetroot is in spring, when temperatures are consistently above 5°C. In most regions, this is the case between March and April. You can sow the seeds directly outdoors. Beet seeds have a very good germination capacity and practically always sprout.
Instructions for sowing:
Sow the seeds about 2 to 3 cm deep.
Make sure there is a distance of approx. 10 to 15 cm between the plants.
If you plant several rows, you should keep a distance of about 30 cm between the rows.
Tip: Beetroot forms a “seed capsule” from which several plants can emerge. To regulate the planting density, the young plants should be separated after germination.
4. care during growth
Beet is relatively easy to care for and requires very little attention to develop healthy and large tubers.
4.1. Irrigation
Beet likes to be evenly moist, but not wet. Regular watering is beneficial during the germination and growth phases. The soil should not dry out during the germination phase.
4.2. Fertilisation
Fertilize the soil for the beet beds with an organic fertilizer or compost. Make sure that the fertilizer contains enough potassium and phosphorus, as these nutrients are important for root growth.
4.3. Weed control
Keep the bed free of weeds. Otherwise, weeds will take nutrients and water from the bed. A layer of mulch can help to suppress weeds and maintain soil moisture.
5. harvesting the beetroot
Beet is usually ready to harvest after around 3 to 5 months. This depends on the variety and the weather conditions. You can harvest the tubers as soon as they have reached a diameter of around 5 to 10 cm. If you leave the tubers in the ground for longer, they may grow larger but also lose flavor and texture.
Instructions for harvesting:
Simply pull the tubers out of the ground.
Cut off the leaves, but leave about 2 to 3 cm of stem to prevent them from drying out.
Wash the tubers thoroughly and store them in a cool, dark place.
6. storage of the harvest
The harvested beet can be stored well. Store them in a cool, dry place to maximize their shelf life. They will stay fresh for several months in a cool cellar or in the vegetable drawer of the fridge. Make sure to remove damaged or defective tubers immediately to protect the rest.
7. cultivation problems and their solutions
Pests:
The most common pests include aphids and snails. Aphids can be controlled by natural predators such as ladybugs. Slugs and snails can be repelled by erecting slug fences or collecting them. In general, however, beet is very robust and is rarely affected by pests.
Diseases:
In poor conditions, beet can be susceptible to diseases such as mildew or rust. To avoid this, you should ensure that the bed is well ventilated and remove affected plants immediately. A regular change of growing location helps to reduce the risk of soil diseases.
8 Conclusion: Growing your own beet – a worthwhile decision
Growing beetroot in your own garden is not only easy, but also extremely rewarding. With the right care, you can harvest the delicious tubers yourself and use them in your kitchen. With the above tips and tricks, you will succeed in growing healthy and tasty beet.
Keywords: growing beet, planting beet, beet care, vegetables in the garden, healthy eating, gardening, harvesting beet.
