About
Beta vulgaris 'Boro' is a biennial plant typically cultivated as an annual for its round, fleshy, dark red roots that are edible. The leaves are dark green and feature deep red stems and veins, making them suitable for consumption as well. This cultivar is known for its hardiness and consistent performance, ideal for harvesting baby beets or allowing them to mature. The roots can reach up to 8 cm in diameter and have good storage capabilities.
About the genus
Beta comprises annual, biennial, or perennial plants characterized by rosettes of basal foliage and robust, fleshy roots. This genus encompasses various wild species alongside cultivated varieties like beetroot, chard, and sugar beet.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Best grown in fertile, free-draining soil in full sun. Sow at fortnightly intervals from March to July for a successional harvest. See Beetroot (Grow your own)
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, flea beetles and mangold fly (beet leaf miner)
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to beetroot heart rot, black leg and a leaf spot