When to plant Beetroot in the UK

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
Sow outdoors April to August, harvest May to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 02

    Sow Seeds

    mid-April to mid-August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow the corky clusters about apart, in rows apart, deep, around mid-April to mid-August. 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

    mid-April to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates 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 late October, until that batch is lifted.

  3. 04

    Thin Seedlings

    early May to mid-September UK average · set your town for your exact dates 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

    mid-April to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, keep the soil evenly moist from mid-April through late October. Uneven watering splits the roots. Give a light feed only if growth looks poor.

  5. 06

    Harvest Roots

    late May to late October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    After each sowing, lift roots from late May once they are golf-ball size. Cricket-ball size is later, and is good for cooking. Keep lifting through late October.

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.