When to plant Beetroot in London

Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Beetroot
Beetroot · Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris

Grow beetroot in a sunny, open bed with soil that has been worked to a fine tilth. Sow direct from spring through summer, keep the ground evenly moist, and thin plants promptly so the roots can size up evenly.

30 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to London · last frost ≈ 4 Apr

Sow outdoors March to September, harvest May to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 02

    Sow Seeds

    21 Mar to 1 Sept Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow the corky clusters about apart, in rows apart, deep, around 21st March - 1st September. Sow a fresh batch every 21 days. Water the row in after sowing.

    • Rake to a fine tilth. Do not add fresh manure. It makes roots fork.
    • A bolt-resistant variety, and fleece or a cloche, helps if the soil is still cold. That is not a second method.

  2. 03

    Protect from Pests

    21 Mar to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, cover the row with fine mesh and seal the edges. Fine mesh reduces beet leaf miner. Keep it on through 10th November, until that batch is lifted.

  3. 04

    Thin Seedlings

    4 Apr to 29 Sept Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, once seedlings are about tall, thin to one plant every . One corky seed is a cluster, so several seedlings come up together. Snip extras at soil level. Use the thinnings in the kitchen.

  4. 05

    Water and Feed

    21 Mar to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, keep the soil evenly moist from 21st March through 10th November. Uneven watering splits the roots. Give a light feed only if growth looks poor.

  5. 06

    Harvest Roots

    2 May to 10 Nov Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, lift roots from 2nd May once they are golf-ball size. Cricket-ball size is later, and is good for cooking. Keep lifting through 10th November.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Beetroot to consider

Boltardy

A dependable early beetroot with good bolt resistance and smooth roots. Widely grown by UK gardeners for spring and summer sowings.

Pablo

A round, uniform beetroot that crops reliably and suits baby beet harvesting. Good for smaller roots and steady pickings.

Chioggia

An attractive striped beetroot with a mild flavour when harvested young. Best picked before the rings fade in larger roots.

Detroit 2

A classic, reliable beetroot for maincrop use. Produces rounded roots with good colour and a solid flavour.

Beetroot guides by town

See how Beetroot timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.