beetroot – organic was £2.69 now £2.49
Position: full sunSoil: fertile, light, sandy soil – preferably manured in the previous seasonRate of growth: averageHardiness: fully hardyA good maincrop type that can produce either baby beets, or full-sized beetroots. They have a uniform shape, and smooth, dark red skin and tender flesh. Ideal for baking, pickling, or grating raw into salads, the young leaves can be eaten like spinach.Growing Instructions:Sow thinly, 13mm deep, in drills 30cm apart from March to July, in a well prepared soil in a sunny spot. Thin to 2.5cm for baby beets, or to 5-7cm for larger beets. Protect early sowings from frost, and young seedlings from birds. Make sure they are kept well watered during dry spells to avoid them bolting (running to seed) or developing woody roots. They will be ready to harvest from June to October and you can start lifting them when they are around the size of a golfball.Beetroots formed from late sowings can be lifted in autumn, the leaves twisted off about 2cm from the top of the beets, and stored in trays of dry sand or compost in the shed or garage.