Beetroot: Detriot 2
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KEY
Biennial | 10-14 days | FEB-JUN | 50 days
ABOUT
This sweet, globe-shaped vegetable is easy to grow and thus great for beginners. The beetroot originated in North Africa and Western Asia and the Detroit 2 is an improved version of the original wild vegetable. The beautiful deep red/purple will add a great contrast in colour to your garden and the sweet taste works well in the kitchen.
SOWING & PLANTING
🌱 Soil Type: Beetroot grows best in either loamy or sandy soil.
☀️ Sunlight: Beetroot plants require partial sun exposure of at least six hours long.
Indoors:
Soak your seeds a couple of days before you plan to sow them as this will aid the germination period. When sowing, fill your pot with loamy or sandy soil and pat firm. Plant the seeds around 2cm deep and cover with a thin layer of soil. They should be sown around 10x10cm apart.
Beetroot seedlings are ready to transplant once they are 2 inches tall. However, it is recommended to grow your beetroot in containers large enough to house it throughout its lifecycle.
🌱 Let sow for 7 to 10 days before moving to a bigger pot or outdoors.
Outdoors:
Beetroot needs fertile conditions to thrive. It is recommended to use a mix of soil and compost to sow your seeds. Ensure the mixture can drain efficiently to prevent waterlogging.
💚 Care Tip: If sowing within the colder months, cover the seeds with a horticultural fleece to protect from the frosty weather conditions.
GROWING & CARE
💧 If it is wet, hold off on watering. If it is dry, give a shallow soak. If there is no rain, a light-to-moderate watering at least twice a week is enough.
Indoors:
If you plan to keep your beetroot indoors throughout its lifecycle, the pot you use must be at least 10 inches deep. Place near a window to ensure it gets adequate sun exposure - around 6 hours of sunlight a day is ideal. Water moderately to ensure the soil is not dry or waterlogged.
💚 Care Tip: If the source of sunlight is small, occasionally rotate the plant so that all areas get some exposure.
Outdoors:
Beetroot needs well drained and fertile soil, so ensure the area is sufficiently prepared before sowing/transplanting. This vegetable will also bolt in dry conditions so ensure you are regularly monitoring the soil.
COMPANION VARIETIES
Kale
Lettuce
Spinach
Radish
HARVESTING
Your beetroot should be ready to harvest in around 50 days, or when they range from the size of a golf or tennis ball. To harvest your beetroot, get a firm grip on the leaves and gently pull until the vegetable is lifted out of the soil. Enure you place your hands as close as possible to the ground to prevent strain on the plant.
PRESERVING
A popular way to preserve beetroot is to pickle it and store in an airtight container. This is typically done with white vinegar and other ingredients. It can also be frozen, dehydrated or simply stored in the fridge.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Beetroot is known to help lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. It is also high in Vitamin C as well as iron, potassium and magnesium making it extremely nutritionally beneficial.
