About
Beta vulgaris 'Crapaudine' is an annual beetroot cultivar recognized as one of the oldest known varieties. Its taproot has a carrot-like shape, featuring a thick, rough skin that encases a flavorful, deep red interior. Many chefs regard this variety as having a superior taste compared to more modern options.
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
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- 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
- Grow in fertile, well drained, alkaline soil in full sun. Dig over bed in autumn and add well rotted manure if humus content is low. Sow direct between March and July into drills 1.5cm deep and lighly rake over with soil. Thin out seedlings to 10cm spacings. See beetroot cultivation for more information
- Pruning
- No pruning required. Harvest alternate plants in a row allowing remaining plants room to develop
- 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 leaf spot