Chalky / Alkaline / Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
Beetroot, Beta vulgaris, is easy to grow and makes the perfect crop for 'beginner' gardeners. Roots are usually cylindrical or globe-shaped, and range in colour from darkest purple-red to pink, yellow and even white. Harvest them when they are young – no bigger than a golf ball – and eat them pickled, roasted, or grated and used in salads. Don't forget the leaves, which can also be harvested – use young greens in salads and older ones blanched like spinach.
Beta vulgaris 'Blankoma' is a fantastic white-skinned variety of beetroot. Roots are round to conical and earthy in flavour, with strong, tall green tops which may be used as spinach.
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Sow
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Harvest
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Beta ‘Blankoma’ and wildlife
Beta ‘Blankoma’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
