Beetroot

Beta vulgaris

VegetablesFrost Hardy

Dual-purpose root vegetable with edible roots and nutritious greens. Each seed cluster produces multiple seedlings that need thinning.

Overview

SunFull Sun

WaterMediumCalculate watering amount

Height20–35 cm

Spread15 cm

Spacing10 cm

Row Spacing30 cm

Germination7–14 days

To Harvest50–70 days

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Onion Kohlrabi Lettuce Kale Garlic

Bad Companions

Runner Bean Green Bean

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Listed as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses by the ASPCA. Leaves contain oxalic acid, so feed foliage to pets only in small amounts.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun (at least 6 hours direct light); tolerates partial shade but roots will be smaller.

SoilLoose, well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0, enriched with compost or well-rotted manure; avoid heavy clay that impedes root growth.

Sowing Depth2.5 cm

Planting Depth3 cm

WateringKeep soil consistently moist with about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week; irregular watering causes roots to crack or become woody.

1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.

FertilizingApply a balanced fertilizer before planting; avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth at the expense of root development.

Care Tip: Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart once they reach 5 cm tall, as each seed cluster produces multiple seedlings; mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Common Pests

Leaf Miner

Symptoms: Winding, translucent tunnels or blotches appear between leaf layers; heavily infested leaves may drop and root size can be reduced.

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves; crush visible larvae inside tunnels with your fingers; apply spinosad-based spray for heavy infestations.

Prevention: Cover plants with fine-mesh row covers to block egg-laying flies; remove nearby weed hosts such as lamb's quarters.

Aphid

Symptoms: Clusters of small green or black insects on undersides of leaves; foliage curls, yellows, and becomes coated with sticky honeydew.

Treatment: Dislodge with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap directly to colonies; encourage natural predators like ladybirds.

Prevention: Inspect plants regularly; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which produces the soft growth aphids prefer.

Flea Beetle

Symptoms: Tiny round shot-holes pepper the leaves; seedlings are most vulnerable and can be killed or severely stunted.

Treatment: Apply diatomaceous earth around plants; use pyrethrin-based sprays for severe outbreaks.

Prevention: Protect young plants with floating row covers; keep beds free of debris where adults overwinter.

Common Diseases

Cercospora Leaf Spot

Symptoms: Small circular spots with grey-brown centres and dark purple-red borders appear on leaves; severe infection causes leaves to wither and die.

Treatment: Remove and destroy infected foliage; apply copper-based fungicide at first sign of spots; improve air circulation by thinning plants.

Prevention: Rotate crops on a 3-year cycle; avoid overhead watering; use disease-free seed or treat seed with a fungicide before sowing.

Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Yellowish patches on upper leaf surfaces with grey-purple fuzzy growth underneath; leaves curl and dry out in humid conditions.

Treatment: Remove affected leaves promptly; apply copper-based fungicide; ensure good airflow around plants.

Prevention: Space plants adequately; water at soil level in the morning so foliage dries quickly; practice crop rotation.

Root Rot (Fusarium / Rhizoctonia)

Symptoms: Plants wilt despite adequate watering; roots show dark, sunken, water-soaked lesions and may become mushy.

Treatment: No cure once established; remove and destroy affected plants immediately to limit spread.

Prevention: Ensure well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging; rotate beets so they are not grown in the same spot more than once every 3-4 years.

📋Overview

🤝Companion Planting