Plant out your Beetroot this month — conditions are right now.
Growing Calendar
This month: May
Log to journalMove seedlings outside carefully
- •Harden off plants
- •Prepare soil outdoors
- •Space plants correctly
- •Water well after planting
Watch Out For
Bolts if sown into cold soil
wait until soil temperature reaches at least 7°C or warm the bed with cloches for 2 weeks before sowing
Slugs target young seedlings
protect with grit or copper tape and check regularly during damp weather
Overcrowding produces small roots
thin to 10cm apart as soon as seedlings are large enough to handle
Grown Organically
Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.
Read our approachCommon Questions
About growing Beetroot in the UK
When should I sow beetroot in the UK?
Sow beetroot from April to July outdoors, or start indoors from March. Sow in modules for transplanting rather than individual cells — beetroot "seeds" are actually clusters of 2–4 seeds. Sow in succession every 3 weeks for a continuous harvest.
Why is my beetroot all leaves and no root?
Leafy, poorly formed roots are usually caused by over-feeding (too much nitrogen), overcrowding, or sowing too early in cold soil. Thin plants to 10cm apart and avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers.
How do I know when beetroot is ready?
Harvest when roots are 5–7cm in diameter (roughly the size of a tennis ball). Check by gently clearing the soil around the base. Baby beets can be harvested earlier; older ones become woody.
Can I eat beetroot leaves?
Yes — young beetroot leaves are excellent in salads, and larger leaves can be cooked like chard or spinach. They are nutritious and produced in abundance before the roots mature.
Member guides
There's more to growing Beetroot than this guide covers.
Seasonal reminders, deeper guides, and the small adjustments that change a harvest.
