Eat your beet

July has come in with an icy chill and gardening has slowed dramatically. But even though the days are short and cold, your garden can still be rich with colour and nutrition. Beetroot is one of my favourite winter crops, and it's time to get planting!

Beetroot is a vibrant root vegetable that is packed with goodness! A lot of people don’t know how delicious beetroot is when it is harvested fresh and blended into smoothies. In fact, most South Africans eat pickled beetroot (think of Sunday 7 colours). There is a lot more to beetroot than pickling.

Beetroot is a powerhouse of:

·       Vitamins & Minerals: Rich in Vitamin C, folate (Vitamin B9), potassium, and manganese.

·       Fiber: Great for digestive health.

·       Antioxidants: Especially betalains, which give beetroot its deep red colour and are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

·       Nitrates: Natural nitrates in beetroot can help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.

From boosting your energy to supporting heart health, beetroot is a true superfood.

Growing Beautiful Beetroot This Winter in Joburg:

Even in the cold, frosty Joburg winter, you can grow a lot of beetroot. Here are some growing tips.

1.     Sunlight is Key: Plant beetroot in a spot that gets at least 5-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Even in winter, sunlight makes all the difference.

2.     Soil Preparation: Beetroot loves well-draining, fertile soil. Amend your garden beds with a rich compost to provide the nutrients they need.

3.     Sow Directly: Plant seeds directly into the soil about 1-2 cm deep and 5-10 cm apart. If you're planting rows, leave about 30 cm between them. As you know, I tend to interplant my crops, so I generally have to be more careful about spacing to ensure I give the beetroot enough space to bulb up.

4.     Keep it Moist: Water regularly, especially because our winters can be quite dry. Consistent moisture helps the roots develop well.

5.     Thinning is Crucial: Once your seedlings are a few centimeters tall, thin them out to ensure each plant has enough space to grow a nice big root. You can eat the thinnings – they make a great addition to salads!

6.     Patience Pays Off: Depending on the variety, your beetroot should be ready to harvest in about 8-12 weeks. You can usually tell they're ready when the tops of the roots start to show just above the soil.

Enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own healthy, homegrown beetroot all winter long. What are your favourite ways to enjoy beetroot? Share in the comments below! 👇

#GardenMyHeart #WinterGardening #BeetrootBenefits #GrowYourOwnFood #HealthyEating