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Annual Biennial

Beta vulgaris 'Action'

beetroot 'Action'

A superb baby beet variety producing uniform, round, deep red roots that have an excellent sweet flavour when harvested young but can be left to mature. It is perfect for growing in small spaces, as well as in containers on a patio. Harvest between June and October

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Purple
Summer Green Purple
Autumn Green Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Amaranthaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Beta can be annual, biennial or perennial plants, often with rosettes of basal leaves and thick, fleshy roots. The genus includes a range of wild species, as well as cultivated food crops such as beetroot, chard and sugar beet

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, well drained soil in full sun. Sow direct between March and July into drills 1.5cm deep and lighly rake over with soil. Thin out seedlings to 10cm spacings. Sow at fortnightly intervals for a successional harvest. See vegetable cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, flea beetles, Mangold fly (beet leaf miner)

Diseases

May be susceptible to beetroot heart rot, black leg, leaf spot

Get involved

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