There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a beetroot from the ground, rinsing off the soil and knowing exactly what went into growing it. Growing beetroot in the UK is one of the most rewarding things you can do in a British garden — quick to mature, happy in containers, generous with its harvest and beautiful on the plate.
If you’ve been buying beetroot from the supermarket, this is the year to grow your own. Here’s everything you need to know about the beetroot growing season UK, the best varieties, and how to get from seed to table.
Why Grow Your Own Beetroot?
Shop-bought beetroot is nearly always the same: dark red, medium-sized and pickled in vinegar. Grow your own and a whole world opens up. Golden varieties with sweet, mild flesh. Chioggia with its stunning pink and white rings when sliced. Baby beets harvested at golf-ball size, tender and sweet in a way the supermarket never manages.
Beyond variety, home-grown beetroot is faster than you might think. Many varieties are ready in as little as 8 weeks from sowing. It takes up very little space, grows happily in containers, and the leaves are edible too — use them wilted like spinach or tossed young into salads.
Best Beetroot Varieties to Grow
There are more beetroot varieties than most people realise — and choosing the right one makes a real difference. Here are our favourites, all available from Marshalls Garden:
This post contains affiliate links to Marshalls Garden. If you purchase through our links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in.
Browse the full range of beetroot plug plants at Marshalls Garden — including Boltardy, Pablo, Chioggia, Golden and the Quattro Gourmet Mix, all available as ready-to-plant plug plants.
Seeds or Plug Plants?
If you’re new to growing beetroot — or simply want the easiest possible start — plug plants are the way to go. Marshalls Garden sell beetroot as ready-to-plant plug plants, which means the hard work of germination has already been done for you. Simply plant them out once the risk of frost has passed and you’ll be harvesting in 8–12 weeks.
Growing from seed is more economical if you’re planting a large crop and gives you more control from the very beginning. We cover both methods below.
Beetroot Growing Season UK — When to Plant
The beetroot growing season in the UK runs from mid-March through to July, giving you a continuous harvest from early summer right through to autumn.
Southern England: Plant out plug plants from mid-April once the risk of frost has passed and soil has warmed up. Seeds can be sown directly from early April — use bolt-resistant varieties like Boltardy for early sowings.
Northern England and Scotland: Mid to late April is safer for plug plants, once hard frosts have passed. Warming the soil with black sheeting or cloches in early April will help.
Succession planting is the key to a steady supply. Rather than one large planting, put in a short row every 2–3 weeks from April to July. This gives you continuous harvests rather than a glut all at once.
For winter storage, make a final sowing around mid-August — about 12 weeks before the first frosts in your area.
How to Plant Beetroot
Plug plants from Marshalls Garden are simple to plant out. Once delivered, remove immediately from packaging and soak the plugs in a shallow dish of water for a few minutes. Plant into prepared soil or containers, spacing plants 10cm apart in rows 30cm apart. Firm in gently and water well.
Growing beetroot from seed: Prepare the soil to a fine tilth, removing stones from the top few centimetres. Draw shallow drills about 2.5cm deep and 30cm apart. What looks like a single beetroot seed is actually a corky cluster containing several seeds, so several seedlings will emerge from each sowing point — thinning is essential. Sow clusters about 10cm apart, cover lightly and water gently. Once seedlings appear, thin to the strongest plant in each cluster.
Growing beetroot in pots works brilliantly — choose a container at least 20cm deep, use free-draining compost mixed with a little grit, and keep in full sun. Water daily in warm weather as pots dry out quickly. Compact varieties like Pablo and Boltardy work best for container growing.
Soil, Spacing and Watering
Beetroot prefers light, fertile, free-draining soil in full sun — though it will tolerate partial shade. Aim for a soil pH of 6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). Avoid freshly manured beds as this can cause forking. Work in well-rotted compost to improve drainage and add nutrients.
Water consistently throughout the growing season. Inconsistent watering — too dry then too wet — causes woody roots and split skins. In dry spells, water deeply every few days rather than little and often.
Beetroot is a light feeder and generally doesn’t need additional fertiliser if soil has been prepared well. In containers, a balanced liquid feed once or twice during the growing season will help.
Keep rows weed-free — beetroot competes poorly with weeds and yields will suffer if neglected.
Companion Planting for Beetroot
Not all vegetables make good neighbours. Planting the right companions alongside your beetroot can improve growth, deter pests and make the most of your space.
Friends — plant these nearby:
Lettuce and Spinach — low growing greens that provide shade to keep the soil moist and cool during warm spells.
Marigolds — a natural pest deterrent. Plant around the edges of your bed or container for best effect.
Onions and Garlic — help deter pests naturally and make excellent use of the space between rows.
Dwarf Beans — fix nitrogen in the soil which promotes healthy growth in neighbouring plants including beetroot.
Foes — keep these away:
Potatoes — compete for the same nutrients and can inhibit beetroot development.
Chilli and Tomatoes — best kept in a different bed entirely as they can inhibit beetroot growth.
Common Problems
Bolting (running to seed before the roots develop) is the most common issue, particularly with early sowings. Avoid sowing into cold, wet soil and choose bolt-resistant varieties like Boltardy for early plantings. Protect young plants during cold snaps with fleece or cloches.
Woody roots are caused by inconsistent watering or leaving roots in the ground too long. Harvest regularly and keep soil evenly moist.
Poor germination usually means the soil is too cold or too dry. Wait until soil temperature reaches at least 7°C and water gently after sowing.
Forking is caused by freshly manured soil or stones. Prepare the bed well in advance and remove stones from the top layer.
Beetroot Growing Stages
Here’s a simple guide to the key tasks through the growing season — from sowing to saving seed.
While you’re tending your plot, here’s what’s happening to the plant itself at each stage.
Stage 1 — Establishment (weeks 1–2): Plug plants settle into their new home. You’ll see the existing leaves perk up and new growth begin. Keep soil moist and protected from frost.
Stage 2 — Leaf growth (weeks 2–5): The plant puts its energy into producing strong, healthy leaves with distinctive red stems and veins. This is a good sign — healthy tops mean healthy roots developing below.
Stage 3 — Root swelling (weeks 5–10): The root begins to swell visibly at soil level. You can gently ease away a little soil to check progress. This is when consistent watering matters most — irregular moisture causes woody roots and split skins.
Stage 4 — Harvest ready (weeks 8–12): The root has swelled to golf ball size (5–6cm) and is ready to harvest. Pull a pilot root to check — if it’s tender and sweet, the rest are ready.
When and How to Harvest
Beetroot can be harvested any time from about 8 weeks after sowing, once roots reach the size of a golf ball (around 5–6cm diameter). This is when flavour is at its sweetest and texture at its most tender.
Roots can be left to grow to tennis ball size if you prefer, but don’t leave them much larger or they may turn woody. A good tip is to pull a ‘pilot’ beetroot at the end of the row to check size and flavour before harvesting the rest.
To harvest, loosen the soil around the root with a hand fork and lift gently. Twist off the leaves rather than cutting them — this reduces bleeding and keeps the roots in better condition.
Don’t discard the leaves. Young beetroot tops are delicious wilted like spinach, added to stir fries or tossed young into salads. They’re nutritionally impressive too — containing more iron than spinach.
How to Store Beetroot
Freshly harvested beetroot will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks. For longer storage, pack roots in layers of damp sand in a box and store in a cool, frost-free place — they’ll keep for up to four months this way.
Alternatively, cook and freeze. Roast or boil, peel, slice and freeze in portions for easy use through winter.
From Garden to Table
Home-grown beetroot has an earthiness and sweetness that shop-bought simply can’t match. Once you’ve grown your own, you’ll find yourself cooking with it far more than you expected.
Roast whole in their skins at 200°C for 45–60 minutes until tender — the skins slip off easily once cooked. Toss with goats cheese and walnuts. Add to grain bowls. Pickle in red wine vinegar with a little sugar for a beautiful condiment that keeps for weeks.
Or try our Beetroot Burger recipe — a deeply flavoured, beautifully coloured patty with guacamole and a herb yoghurt sauce. It’s one of the best ways to use a glut of home-grown beets.
And if you’re looking for something a little lighter, our Beetroot and Feta Salad with Smoked Salmon is a brilliant way to use baby beets straight from the garden.
Further Reading
- How to Start a Vegetable Garden
Everything you need to know to get growing — from choosing your plot to your first harvest.
- Best Compost Bins for Your Garden
Great beetroot starts with great soil. Our pick of the best composters for every UK garden.
- Easy Beetroot Recipes
Inspiration for what to do with your harvest — from vibrant salads to hearty mains.
- Beetroot Hummus Recipe
A silky, vibrant dip that puts homegrown beetroot centre stage.
- Beetroot Burger Recipe
The ultimate reward for a season well grown — a proper beetroot burger with avocado and kefir mint sauce.
FAQs
What are common mistakes to avoid when growing beetroot?
The most common mistake is sowing too deeply — beetroot seeds need to be just 2.5cm below the surface. Overwatering is another culprit, causing the roots to split. Many gardeners also forget to thin seedlings, which leads to crowded, misshapen roots. Finally, avoid letting beetroot get too large before harvesting — golf ball to tennis ball size is the sweet spot for the best flavour.
Is it easy to grow beetroot in the UK?
Yes — beetroot is one of the most rewarding vegetables for UK gardeners, whether you have a large plot, a raised bed or even a deep container. It’s fast-growing, relatively low-maintenance and largely trouble-free. If you can give it well-drained soil, a sunny spot and regular watering, you’re most of the way there.
What month can you plant beetroot?
In the UK, beetroot can be sown outdoors from April through to July, giving you a long growing window and the possibility of staggered harvests throughout summer and into autumn. For an earlier start, sow indoors or under cover from late February using bolt-resistant varieties like Boltardy.
What is the secret to growing beetroot?
Little and often. Rather than sowing a whole packet at once, sow small batches every three to four weeks from April onwards. This gives you a continuous harvest all season rather than a glut. Keep the soil consistently moist, thin seedlings early, and don’t let the roots get too big — that’s really all there is to it.