Beetroot in April: monthly care

Beetroot thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained loam or sandy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Before sowing, prepare the bed by digging over the soil to a spade's depth and removing stones, which can cause forked or misshapen roots. Work in well-rotted compost or garden manure a few weeks before planting, but avoid fresh manure as it encourages leafy growth at the expense of roots. Sow beetroot directly outdoors from April through June once the soil has warmed to at least 7°C. Earlier sowings benefit from cloche protection or fleece if late frosts threaten. Sow seeds 2–3 cm deep in drills spaced 30 cm apart. Beetroot "seeds" are actually clusters containing several seeds, so expect multiple seedlings to emerge from each sowing point. Space seeds about 10 cm apart along the row to reduce the need for heavy thinning later. Water the drills gently after sowing to settle the soil around the seeds. Germination typically takes 10–14 days. Once seedlings have two true leaves, thin them to a final spacing of 10 cm for smaller beets or up to 15 cm for larger roots, leaving the strongest seedling at each station. You can eat thinned seedlings as microgreens. For a continuous harvest, sow small batches every three weeks until late June. Early sowings (April–May) are ready in 10–12 weeks; later sowings may take slightly longer. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination and early growth to prevent the roots from becoming woody or splitting.

Beetroot has moderate water needs and performs best with consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Water regularly during dry spells, aiming for about 2–3 cm per week. Irregular watering—long dry periods followed by heavy soaking—can cause roots to split or develop tough, fibrous rings. Mulching around plants with a 5 cm layer of compost or well-rotted manure in late spring helps retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep roots cool during hot weather. Feeding should be light and balanced. Beetroot is not a heavy feeder, and too much nitrogen encourages lush leaf growth at the expense of root development. If your soil is reasonably fertile, a single application of a general-purpose granular fertiliser (such as Growmore or blood, fish and bone) in March or April before sowing is usually sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds. On poorer soils, a light side-dressing of the same fertiliser in early summer can be beneficial, but this is rarely necessary on well-prepared ground. Beetroot is generally trouble-free, but watch for aphids on young leaves in early summer; a strong jet of water or insecticidal soap usually controls them. Leaf miners occasionally create pale, winding tunnels in the foliage—pick off and destroy affected leaves. Bolting, as mentioned, is the main cultural problem and is best prevented by timely sowing and consistent watering. Beetroot is fully hardy and can tolerate light frosts, which actually improve flavour. You can leave late-summer sowings in the ground under a thick straw mulch and lift roots as needed through autumn and into early winter, provided your soil drains well and doesn't become waterlogged.