About
Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla var. cicla 'Erbette' is an annual vegetable characterized by its expansive, dark green ribbed leaves and robust, edible stalks. It resembles spinach in both appearance and flavor but offers notable resistance to bolting, even in arid conditions. For optimal growth, sow seeds from April to July, with a second planting in August. This variety can be harvested throughout the year, allowing for repeated cuttings. Young leaves are typically ready for salad use in approximately eight weeks.
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, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. Add compost or well-rotted manure in the autumn and keep watered in dry conditions. See chard cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required. Remove outer leaves when large enough
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to birds, cutworms, lettuce root maggot, root aphid, root knot eelworm and slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to grey mould, lettuce downy mildew, mosaic virus and ring spot