How to grow beetroot successfully

Step 1: Sowing

Beetroot can either be sowed directly or can be transplanted in the later stage after sowing. With direct sowing, prepare the soil by establishing a fine seedbed when sowing the seed and irrigate lightly a day before sowing. Seeds must be sowed 3 – 4 cm apart within the same row, but since beetroot seed is a multi-germ then thin out plants after they emerge to have about 5 – 9 cm space between each plants on the same row.

With the aim to transplant, prepare seed trays or seedbeds to sow seeds. When using trays, sow a seed 1 – 2 cm deep for a better germination and when using seedbeds sow a seed 5 – 10 cm deep. Wait 3 – 4 weeks for seedlings to be ready to transplant.

Remember to irrigate immediately after sowing seeds either directly or in trays and once per day onwards.

Step 2: Transplanting

Before transplanting make sure the soil is ready by applying suitable nutrients. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for beetroot and it should be applied on the soil before transplanting and it should be used for side dressing 3 and 6 weeks after transplanting. Second top dressing can be applied with 1:0:1 fertilizers.

Phosphorus and potassium are also essential for beetroot and with phosphorus there is not limit on how much to apply while potassium can be applied once.

The space between crops is important when transplanting. Plant seedlings 5 – 10 cm apart within the same row and separate the rows by space of about 20 – 45 cm.

Irrigate immediately after transplanting and after applying fertilizers. Irrigation should be done more regularly in the early growing stage for good root development. Irrigates twice per day during hot conditions and once per day during cold conditions.

Step 3: Harvesting

Beetroot is normally ready for harvest between 75 and 90 days in summer and 100 and 120 days in winter. Due to the variable nature of beetroot and uneven spacing from multi-germ seed, harvesting
generally occurs in stages.

Beetroot seedlings@5ksh