🌱 How to Grow Beetroot from Seeds

Common Names:

• Hindi: चुकंदर (Chukandar)

• Tamil: பீட்ரூட்

• Telugu: బీట్‌రూట్

• Malayalam: ബീറ്റ്റൂട്ട്

• Kannada: ಬೀಟ್‌ರೂಟ್

• English: Beetroot

• Botanical name: Beta vulgaris

1. Choose the Right Season

• Cool-season root vegetable

• Best time to sow:

  • October to February (main season in most Indian regions)

  • In cooler areas, can be sown till early summer

• Ideal temperature: 15°C to 25°C

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Loose, well-draining, sandy loam

• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Enrich soil with compost or well-rotted manure

• Avoid heavy clay or compacted soils — roots won’t form properly

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: ½ inch (1.2 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • Garden: Leave 3–4 inches between seeds, 12 inches between rows

  • Containers: Use 8–10 inch deep pots, sow 3–4 seeds per pot

• Water lightly after sowing

• Soak seeds in water for 12 hours before sowing to speed up germination

4. Watering

• Keep soil evenly moist, especially during root formation

• Avoid waterlogging

• Water 2–3 times per week, depending on weather

5. Germination

• Seeds sprout in 7–10 days

• Thin seedlings after 2–3 weeks, keeping strongest plants

• Each beet seed is actually a cluster — thinning is essential

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 4–6 hours of sunlight daily

• Can tolerate mild shade

• Grows well in cool, mild temperatures

7. Fertilization

• Use compost or vermicompost every 2–3 weeks

• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers — leads to large leaves but small roots

• Balanced NPK compost or banana peel compost works well

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Aphids, leaf miners, fungal rot

• Spray neem oil + mild soap every 10–15 days

• Ensure good airflow and avoid overwatering

9. Harvesting

• Ready to harvest in 45–60 days

• Roots are best harvested when they are 2–3 inches in diameter

• Gently pull or loosen soil to remove the root

• Young leaves are also edible and can be harvested earlier

10. Regrow Tip

• Cut off the top of a beetroot with 1 inch of root

• Place in shallow water or moist soil — leaves will regrow

• Seeds can be saved from mature, bolted plants (2nd season)

🥗 Health Benefits of Beetroot

• Rich in iron, fiber, folate, and antioxidants

• Improves blood circulation and stamina

• Detoxifies liver and supports heart health

• Helps regulate blood pressure and boosts immunity