With its vividly-coloured deep burgundy leaves this plant is so striking it can be used in ornamental borders as well as on veg plots. Pick the baby leaves to add a rich splash of colour to salads, or leave the plants to mature for classic fat round purple beetroots.
The leaves of these microgreens turn an even darker purple in cold weather, so for the richest colours leaves sow a last crop in September to grow through autumn. A heritage variety introduced in 1840.
Growing instructions:
In spring, make a shallow drill 1cm deep and sow the large, easy-to-handle seeds about 15cm apart. Cover again lightly with soil and water in. Seeds produce multiple seedlings, so thin to leave one plant to mature at each spot. Beetroot can also be grown in containers: sow direct into the compost allowing about five seeds to a 45cm pot.
Eventual height:
0.45m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
