- Botanical name: Beta vulgaris 'Boltardy'
- Common name: Beetroot
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Plant Type: Vegetable
- Key features:
- Prefers rich soil
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 ‘Boltardy’ remains one of the most popular beetroots. Bolt-resistant, it can be sown earlier than many other varieties. For the earliest crops, sow undercover as soon as the soil warms up at the start of the year. Later crops can be lifted in late autumn and stored in sand for use during winter. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
How to grow Beta 'Boltardy'
-
Plant size
23cm height
25cm spread
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / chalky / alkaline
Plant calendar
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sow | ||||||||||||
Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do not Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
Harvest | ||||||||||||
Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do Harvest in July |
A
Do Harvest in August |
S
Do Harvest in September |
O
Do not Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Beta 'Boltardy' and wildlife
Beta 'Boltardy' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Beta 'Boltardy' poisonous?
Beta 'Boltardy' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People