Beetroot Planting in South Africa

Beetroot is fairly easy to grow and produces a good yield. Beetroot is a close relative of Swiss chard and sugar beet, and has many health benefits. Beetroot is a cool weather crop, but the hybrid (F1) cultivars available for summer production offer many advantages. Although, the seed is expensive, but these beets are worth growing because they are of a better quality, more adaptable to extreme high temperatures and so are more uniform in shape, produce greater yields. The best planting times for beetroot are spring and autumn, but the vegetables also do well during summer on South Africa’s Highveld and winter in the Lowveld. The perfect temperature for growth is between 15°C and 20°C.

 What is the best month to plant beetroot in South Africa?

It is advisable to plant small batches of beetroot at fortnightly intervals from March or April to July for a succession of tender, tasty roots. Also, you can choose bolt-resistant varieties for early sowings under cloches or fleece in late February or early March. You can sow without protection from late March onwards.

How long does beetroot take to grow in South Africa?

In South Africa, beetroot is usually grown in cool regions or during the cooler seasons in warm areas. Bear in mind that, the growing period varies from eight to eleven weeks in favourable climatic conditions. Although beetroot is a cool-weather crop, using a hybrid cultivar intended for summer production offers many advantages.

How late can you plant beetroot in South Africa?

In South Africa, it is advisable to plant beetroot seeds outdoors from mid-April to late June, into a shallow drill, 1cm deep. Space seeds 10cm apart, with 30cm between rows. Generally, being a root crop, it does best if the soil is free of large stones, and prefers light to fairly heavy soil.

What temperature do beet seeds germinate?

Generally, crops such as beans, beets, cabbage, chard, eggplant, pepper, radish, tomato, turnip and corn have an optimum soil temperature for seed germination of 85°F. However, the minimum soil temperature required for some of these cold-tolerant crops in South Africa, such as beets, cabbage, chard, radish and turnip, is as low as 40°F.

What temperature is too hot for beetroot in South Africa?

During the day, beetroot can handle temperatures as high as 70 – degrees Fahrenheit and as low as 50-degrees Fahrenheit at night. If nature provides a sudden swing in temperatures, it’s wise to apply a layer of mulch around your beet plants. This will help keep the soil damp and cool.

What is the soil requirement for Beetroot in South Africa?

Sandy to deep, well-drained sandy loam or silt loam, high in organic matter, is recommended. Cloddy, stony, poor or very shallow soils are not suitable. Uniform soil moisture is essential for good quality. If the soil is compacted or the clay content is very high, roots are likely to be deformed and to develop a tough texture that reduces quality. Crops thrive in deep, rich sandy loam, with a pH of between 6 and 6,5 (but not below).