FIVE BRILLIANT BEETROOT
1 ‘ALBINA VEREDUNA’
An old Dutch variety that produces spherical, whiteskinned roots housing very sweet and mild white flesh. 2 ‘BOLTARDY’
A variety with round, purple roots that made its debut in the 1980s, it is popular among veg growers due to its resistance to bolting. 3 ‘BURPEES GOLDEN’
Introduced in the 1940s, this variety from the USA, above, has burnt orange skin and golden flesh with a sweet, mild flavour. 4 ‘CYLINDRA’
A Danish variety that first appeared in the 1800s, it has long, slim and cylindrical dark-pink roots that are perfect for slicing. 5 ‘ROUGE CRAPAUDINE’
Carrot-shaped roots are covered with dark, bark-like skin that reveals sweet, red flesh when peeled. to develop. Beetroot are a doddle to look after. Keep the area around them free from weeds, and water crops regularly to prevent roots splitting and plants running to seed prematurely.
Harvest roots by pulling out of the ground while they are still young – those left to mature tend to split or turn woody.