Beetroot is one of those garden gems that gives back in more ways than one. If you’ve ever wondered how to grow beetroot from seed, you’re in for a colourful surprise! Beets don’t just come in the usual deep red. You can grow golden, pink, white, or even candy-striped varieties—all from humble little seeds. It’s like planting a rainbow!
With so many vibrant options, growing beetroot is a brilliant way to get kids interested in gardening—and eating veggies too. Watching those bright stems and leafy tops push up through the soil feels a bit like magic. And did you know the leaves are edible as well? That’s right! You’re growing two crops in one: sweet, earthy roots and leafy greens perfect for salads or sautés.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step by step. From preparing the soil to thinning seedlings and knowing exactly when to harvest, we’ll make the whole process simple and enjoyable. Along the way, you’ll learn tips to boost your harvest, avoid common hiccups, and maybe even pass the gardening bug along to your little helpers.
So roll up your sleeves, grab your seeds, and let’s grow a rainbow right outside your door. Whether you’re planting in the ground or a big pot on the patio, beetroot is a cheerful, easy win for any home garden.
Choosing the Right Beetroot Seeds
Before you even get your hands dirty, it helps to pick the right kind of beetroot. There are so many beautiful types to choose from! Some are deep red, some are bright yellow, and others look like they’ve been painted with stripes. That’s the fun part—beetroot comes in all sorts of colours, shapes, and sizes. So, let’s look at some easy-to-grow favourites to help you get started:
- Detroit Dark Red – The classic beet! Deep red, round roots with tasty greens on top.
- Chioggia – A real show-stopper with pink and white candy-cane rings inside.
- Golden – Sweet, mild, and bright yellow with no red juice to stain.
- Boltardy – Grows well in cool weather and doesn’t bolt (go to seed) too soon.
- Cylindra – Long, carrot-shaped roots that are easy to slice and great for roasting.
- Albino White – A pure white beet with a mellow flavour and no earthy aftertaste.
- Touchstone Gold – Another golden variety, known for strong growth and tender texture.
- Red Ace – Fast-growing and reliable, perfect for first-time growers.
Now that you’ve seen a few options, think about what grows well in your area. Some beet varieties like cooler weather better than others. If you live somewhere warm, try one that’s bolt-resistant. Also, check if your soil is light and fluffy or heavy and sticky. That can make a difference, too!
Heirloom vs. Hybrid
You’ll also see heirloom and hybrid seeds. Heirloom types are older and often have fun colours and flavours. Hybrid seeds are more modern and bred to grow quickly or fight off pests. Either works well, but heirlooms are great if you want to save seeds later on.
Before planting, store your seeds in a cool, dry place. A paper envelope in a tin or glass jar works great. That way, your seeds will stay fresh and ready for sowing when the time is right.
Preparing Your Soil for Beetroot Planting
Before you plant a single seed, it’s important to get your soil just right. Beetroot might be easy-going, but they’ll grow best in soil that feels like a comfy bed—soft, loose, and full of goodness. Let’s walk through what you need to know!
Ideal soil conditions for beetroot growth
Beets love loamy, well-draining soil. That just means the soil isn’t too sticky or too sandy—somewhere in the middle is perfect. The roots need space to grow, so the looser, the better! Also, try to keep the pH around 6.0 to 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry—we’ll get to testing next.
How to test and amend soil for optimal beetroot health
Testing your soil might sound tricky, but you can grab a simple soil test kit from a garden centre or online. It’ll tell you the pH and whether your soil is missing any nutrients. If it’s too acidic, you can add a little lime. If it’s too alkaline, compost or leaf mould can help balance it out.
Importance of organic matter and compost in soil preparation
Here’s a secret: compost is your garden’s best friend. Mixing in a bucket or two of well-rotted compost or aged manure gives your beets all the food they need to thrive. It also keeps the soil moist but not soggy—which is just how beets like it.
Tips for raised beds or container planting
If your ground is heavy clay or rocky, no worries! Beets grow beautifully in raised beds or deep containers. Just make sure they’re at least 10–12 inches deep so the roots can stretch. Raised beds also warm up faster in spring, giving your seeds a head start.
Avoiding soil compaction and nutrient deficiencies
Beets hate hard-packed soil. Try not to walk on your growing beds, and give the soil a gentle rake now and then to keep it fluffy. If your last crops used up a lot of nutrients, consider adding a balanced organic fertiliser to give your new beet babies a strong start.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide for Beetroot Seeds
Now that your soil is ready, it’s time to get those beetroot seeds in the ground! Don’t worry—this part is simple and even a bit fun. Just follow these easy steps and your little beet babies will be off to a great start.
When to sow beetroot seeds (seasonal timing and frost dates)
Beets like cool weather, so you can start sowing in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked—usually about 2 weeks before your last frost date. In milder climates, you can even sow again in late summer for a fall harvest. If you’re not sure about frost dates, check an online garden calendar for your area.
How to plant seeds (depth, spacing, and rows)
Plant beet seeds about ½ inch (1.25 cm) deep, with 1 to 2 inches (2.5–5 cm) between each seed. Leave about 12 inches (30 cm) between rows so you have space to walk and weed. It’s okay to plant a few extras—each beet “seed” is actually a cluster that can grow multiple seedlings.
Techniques for thinning seedlings for healthy growth
Once the seedlings pop up and grow a few inches tall, it’s time to thin them out. Gently pull or snip the weaker ones so that the strongest plants are spaced about 3 to 4 inches (7.5–10 cm) apart. Don’t toss those baby greens—they’re delicious in salads!
Watering practices immediately after planting
Right after planting, give your bed a gentle but thorough watering. Keep the soil evenly moist (but not soggy!) while the seeds are germinating. A light sprinkle every day or two is usually perfect until the seedlings get established.
Using mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
After the seedlings are a few inches tall, add a thin layer of straw, grass clippings, or shredded leaves around the plants. This keeps the moisture in, stops weeds from taking over, and even helps regulate the soil temperature. Plus, it just makes your beet patch look tidy!
Caring for Your Growing Beetroot Plants
Once your beets are up and growing, they don’t need too much fuss—but a little care goes a long way. Here’s how to help them thrive from seedling to harvest.
Watering schedule and avoiding overwatering
Beets like moist soil, but not soggy feet! Water them about once or twice a week, depending on the weather. If it’s hot and dry, they’ll need more. Always check the top inch of soil—if it’s dry, it’s time to water. Too much water can cause the roots to rot, so it’s best to water deeply and less often.
Fertilization tips for boosting root development
Beets don’t need loads of fertilizer, but they do appreciate a little boost. Use a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea once or twice during the growing season. Look for one with low nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium—that helps the roots, not just the leaves.
Managing pests and common diseases
A few garden pests might try to snack on your beetroot. Leaf miners tunnel into the leaves, and powdery mildew can show up in damp conditions. To stop them, keep your patch clean, remove any damaged leaves, and consider using neem oil or a homemade garlic spray if things get out of hand.
Companion planting to improve beetroot health
Beets are pretty easygoing, but they really shine when they have good neighbors. Companion planting means growing certain plants together to help them stay healthy, grow better, or keep pests away. Here are six lovely companions for your beets and why they’re such a good match:
- Onions – These help keep pests like aphids and beetles away with their strong scent.
- Lettuce – It grows fast and shallow, so it won’t compete with beets for root space.
- Radishes – They grow quickly and can be pulled before the beets need more room.
- Bush beans – These improve the soil by adding nitrogen, which helps beet leaves grow nice and green.
- Cabbage – It’s big and leafy, which can shade the soil and help hold in moisture for your beets.
- Mint – Just a few sprigs planted nearby (or in a pot!) can help deter pests like flea beetles.
Avoid planting beets near pole beans or mustard, as they don’t get along very well and might slow each other down.
When and how to thin or transplant seedlings if necessary
If you didn’t thin earlier, now’s your chance! When the plants are about 4–5 inches tall, gently remove the smaller ones to give space for strong roots to grow. Beets don’t like being moved, so it’s better to thin than transplant, but if you must move them, do it carefully on a cool day and water well afterward.
Harvesting and Storing Beetroot Successfully
You’ve watered, weeded, and watched your beetroot grow—and now, it’s time for the best part: harvest! But before you start pulling them up, here’s how to know when they’re ready and what to do next so nothing goes to waste.
Signs that beetroot is ready for harvest (size, color, days to maturity)
Most beet varieties are ready to harvest about 50 to 70 days after planting. To tell if they’re ready, look for round, firm roots poking slightly out of the soil. A good size is about a golf ball to a tennis ball. If they get much bigger, they can turn woody. The color should be rich and deep—whether red, golden, or even striped, depending on the variety.
How to carefully harvest without damaging roots
First, loosen the soil gently with a fork or your hands. Try not to rush this step. Tugging hard on the greens can break the root. Instead, grab the base of the leaves close to the bulb and give a gentle wiggle while lifting.
Best practices for washing and storing fresh beetroot
After harvesting, brush off loose soil but don’t wash them just yet—moisture can cause rot. Clip the tops off, leaving about 2 inches of stem to keep the roots from bleeding. Then, store unwashed roots in a cool, dark place or in the fridge in a breathable bag. This way, they’ll last several weeks.
Tips for preserving beetroot (freezing, pickling, drying)
If you want to save them longer, you’ve got a few great options. Beets can be boiled, peeled, and frozen, or turned into sweet-and-sour pickles. Another idea? Slice and dehydrate them for crunchy beet chips.
Using beet greens for cooking and nutrition
Lastly, don’t toss those beautiful leaves! Beet greens are super tasty and full of vitamins. You can sauté them like spinach, toss them in soups, or even blend them into smoothies. It’s a great way to get more out of your harvest—and sneak in some extra greens.
Wrapping Up: Growing Beetroot from Seed
So, now you know how to grow beetroot from seed—from choosing the right varieties to harvesting and using every part of the plant. It might seem like a lot at first, but once you get the hang of it, growing beetroot becomes one of the easiest and most rewarding things you can do in the garden. Plus, it’s such a joy to pull those bright bulbs from the soil, knowing you grew them yourself!
Even better? Beetroot comes in all kinds of fun colours—red, gold, pink, and even candy-striped—so it’s a great veggie to grow with kids. Let them help plant the seeds, water the rows, and later, spot the rainbow peeking out of the soil. And don’t forget—those leafy green tops aren’t just pretty; they’re edible too!
As you plan your garden or allotment, think about where beetroot can fit in. It’s compact, not too fussy, and gives back in so many ways. From salads and soups to smoothies and snacks, beetroot is the kind of veggie that keeps on giving.
Speaking of snacks, if you’ve made it this far, you deserve a treat. Why not try our Beetroot and Walnut Energy Bites for a healthy, no-bake boost that uses your homegrown harvest? They’re simple to make and perfect for lunchboxes or garden breaks.
So go on—grab those seeds, dig in the dirt, and let beetroot brighten up your garden (and your plate)!
