Beetroot seeds will germinate once ground temperatures are regularly 10°C or above – usually in March.
This is best done in free-draining soil in full sun. If you’re gardening on heavy soil, try using cloches or clear polythene to speed up soil warming on the veg plot.
Small-spring sown beetroot is the sweetest of all, so it’s worth sowing plenty to harvest them when they’re the size of golf balls.
Once you have your seeds off to a strong start, beetroot is tolerant of shade – check out more vegetable crops to grow in shade.
Follow our simple steps on how to sow beetroot seeds, below.
You Will Need
- Beetroot seeds
- Garden twine
- Hoe
- Watering can
Step 1
Make a seed drill on firm, prepared soil using the edge of a hoe along a garden line or straight edge. It should be 1.5cm deep.
Step 2
Use a watering can with the rose detached to water along the line of the drill so that once the seeds are sown and covered, the moist soil is around the seeds.
Step 3
Space large seeds 2-3cm apart. Allow more space for single seeded monogerm varieties like ‘Moneta’ and ‘Monika’ to avoid thinning out seedlings later.
Step 4
Use the edge of the hoe to pull soil over the seeds to a depth of 1cm then tamp down. The shallow impression draws surface water to the seedlings as they grow.
Tending your beetroot seedlings
Beetroot seeds can be clustered so that they produce several seedlings that will need thinning out later. Protect the young seedlings from birds, which like to graze on the bright young leaves.
