Beetroot

Sow in 23 - 30cm (9 - 12") rows, spacing seeds 10cm (4") apart in drills 2.5cm (1") deep. Early bolt resistant varieties can be sown from March with the others following from mid-April. Successional sowings will allow fresh beetroot to be harvested from June to October with the remainder pickled or stored in peat or sand for winter use. Beetroot will grow well in most soils but do best in well manured ground in full sun. One of the most damaging diseases of beetroot is Blackleg, which usually attacks and kills the seedlings. This can be combated by removing infected plants and watering the remainder with Cheshunt Compound.