Growing Beets (Beetroot) on an Allotment

Beetroot (often shortened to beets) is a reliable, versatile, and beginner-friendly crop. It grows quickly, takes up little space, and produces usable harvests even in less-than-perfect soil. You can grow beetroot from seed or plug plants, in the ground or containers, and harvest roots small or large depending on taste and use.

This guide covers how to grow different types of beetroot, when to plant, spacing, watering and feeding, pests and diseases, containers vs ground growing, and proven ways to improve yields.

🌱 1. Types of Beetroot You Can Grow

🔴 Round Beetroot (Most Common)

• Deep red roots

• Reliable and productive

• Good for boiling, roasting, pickling

⚪ White & Yellow Beetroot

• Milder, sweeter flavour

• Don’t bleed colour

• Slightly slower growing

🌀 Chioggia (Striped Beetroot)

• Pink and white rings inside

• Best harvested young

• Attractive but less good for long storage

🌿 Leaf Beet / Baby Beet

• Grown for both leaves and roots

• Harvest leaves early like spinach

🌰 2. Ways to Grow Beets

From Seed (Most Common)

Beetroot seeds are actually clusters, often producing multiple seedlings.

Pros

• Cheap and easy

• Best root shape and storage

• Wide variety choice

Cons

• Need thinning

Plug Plants

Young beetroot plants grown in modules.

Pros

• Faster start

• Less thinning required

• Useful for late sowings

Cons

• More expensive

• Limited varieties

👉 Both methods work well — consistent moisture matters more than starting method.

🗓️ 3. When to Sow & Plant Beetroot

From Seed

• Outdoors: March–July

• Succession sow: every 3–4 weeks

Plug Plants

• Plant out: April–August

Beetroot grows best in cool to warm soil and tolerates light frost.

🌾 4. How to Grow Beetroot in the Ground

Soil Requirements

• Free-draining soil

• Stone-free for smooth roots

• Not freshly manured

Too much nitrogen causes leafy growth and poor roots.

Spacing

• Between plants: 10cm (thin seedlings to this)

• Between rows: 30cm

Crowded plants produce small, woody roots.

Sowing Depth

• Sow seeds 2–3cm deep

• Water gently after sowing

Thin seedlings early — don’t delay.

🪴 5. Growing Beetroot in Containers

Beetroot is excellent for container growing.

Container Guidelines

• Depth: minimum 20–25cm

• Spacing: one plant per 10cm

• Use multi-purpose or veg compost

Keep compost evenly moist — containers dry quickly.

💧 6. Watering Beetroot

Consistent watering is critical.

Best Practice

• Keep soil evenly moist

• Water during dry spells

• Avoid letting soil dry out then flood

Irregular watering causes:

• woody texture

• cracked roots

• poor flavour

🌿 7. Feeding Beetroot

Beetroot is a light feeder.

Feeding Rules

• Compost before sowing is usually enough

• Avoid high-nitrogen feeds

• Optional light feed if growth stalls

Healthy soil matters more than fertiliser.

🐛 8. Common Pests & Diseases

Leaf Miners (Most Common)

Symptoms

• White tunnels in leaves

Control

• Remove affected leaves

• Cover crops with mesh

• Grow succession crops

Slugs & Snails

• Attack seedlings

Control

• Protect young plants early

• Improve airflow and drainage

Bolting

• Triggered by stress or cold snaps

Prevention

• Sow at correct times

• Keep moisture consistent

🧺 9. Harvesting Beetroot

When to Harvest

• Harvest from golf-ball size onwards

• Best flavour when young

• Leave some to mature for storage

How to Harvest

• Loosen soil gently

• Twist leaves off (don’t cut)

Leaves are edible — use like spinach.

🌾 10. Improving Beetroot Yields

What really works:

• Regular thinning

• Consistent watering

• Succession sowing

• Harvesting young

• Weed-free beds

Beetroot rewards steady care, not heavy feeding.

⚡ Quick Beetroot Growing Tips

• Thin early and decisively

• Grow little and often

• Avoid fresh manure

• Leaves are edible and nutritious