JUNE: START Off

SOWING BEETROOT

The large seeds are easy to sow directly into a bed and will germinate reliably in one or two weeks. Most beetroot varieties are ‘multigerm’ – in other words, what you sow is actually a cluster of several seeds and will produce more than one seedling. This means it’s important to sow sparingly and thin out the seedlings promptly after they have sprouted to prevent overcrowding. 1 Around 4-6 hours before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water. This will help to speed up germination.

2 Use string or a bamboo cane to mark out a straight line across the width of the bed, about 15–20cm from other plants in the bed. Use the handle of your rake to create a shallow trench 1-2cm deep.

3 Remove the seeds from the water and sow them thinly along the line, leaving about 1cm between each seed. Leave around 15-20cm between the rows to allow enough space for the roots to develop. 4 Cover the seeds with soil using your hands or the back of the rake, and add a plant label to mark the row. Give the row a good water using a watering can with a rose attached.