Warriston variety of the month
A monthly selection of fruit, veg or flowers that flourish on the Warriston site. Find more in our variety archive
July 2019 - Beetroot Boltardy
July is the last month for sowing this very popular and reliable variety of beetroot, which is quick cropping, bolt resistant and has a RHS award of garden merit.
Most popular variety of beetroot by far, Boltardy can be sown early in the year and right through for succession cropping and has excellent globe shaped beets.
Sow seeds thinly 2cm (1in) apart in pre-watered shallow rows, and cover with a little soil. Allow 30cm (12in) between rows. Thin developing seedlings to 10cm (4in) apart. For faster germination seeds can also be sowing under glass in modular cell trays and planted out when seedlings are approx. 10cm (4in) high.
Weed regularly and keep moist all times to avoid beets becoming woody. Harvest late varieties from October when the roots are between the size of a golf ball and a tennis ball or harvest baby beets for pickling from September.
Beetroot prefer to be grown in moist, fertile soil in a sunny spot, but will also thrive in raised beds or pots.
Young leaves of beetroot can also be treated like spinach and are great in salads or wilted as greens.
Other varieties – Cardeal, Detroit 2 & Alexis
Text and image: NR
Most popular variety of beetroot by far, Boltardy can be sown early in the year and right through for succession cropping and has excellent globe shaped beets.
Sow seeds thinly 2cm (1in) apart in pre-watered shallow rows, and cover with a little soil. Allow 30cm (12in) between rows. Thin developing seedlings to 10cm (4in) apart. For faster germination seeds can also be sowing under glass in modular cell trays and planted out when seedlings are approx. 10cm (4in) high.
Weed regularly and keep moist all times to avoid beets becoming woody. Harvest late varieties from October when the roots are between the size of a golf ball and a tennis ball or harvest baby beets for pickling from September.
Beetroot prefer to be grown in moist, fertile soil in a sunny spot, but will also thrive in raised beds or pots.
Young leaves of beetroot can also be treated like spinach and are great in salads or wilted as greens.
Other varieties – Cardeal, Detroit 2 & Alexis
Text and image: NR
