- Botanical name: Beta vulgaris 'Bull's Blood'
- 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.
Dating from 1840, heirloom variety Beta vulgaris ‘Bull’s Blood’ produces deep red-purple edible leaves and small, tasty beets which are best harvested when they’re 7cm (3in) in size. The plants do best in well-drained, rich soil (not freshly manured) and can even be grown in pots: at 5cm (2in) spacing for small beets, it’s possible to fit several plants into the smallest space. It’s a thirsty plant, particularly if grown in pots, and needs extra water during dry periods to reduce the likelihood of bolting.
How to grow Beta 'Bull's Blood'
-
Plant size
23cm height
25cm spread
-
Aspect
East facing, south facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- 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 Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do Sow in May |
J
Do not 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 'Bull's Blood' and wildlife
Beta 'Bull's Blood' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Beta 'Bull's Blood' poisonous?
Beta 'Bull's Blood' 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
Plants that go well with Beta 'Bull's Blood'
