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 'Kestrel' has smooth, round, globe-shaped roots with a high sugar content and brilliant dark red skin and flesh. They're perfect for eating as 'baby beets' or left to mature without going 'woody'. Plants show good resistance to bolting.
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Beta ‘Kestrel’ and wildlife
Beta ‘Kestrel’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.