ROYAL BEETROOT – शाही चुकंदर (04 Gm)

Growing beetroot is easy, fast, and rewarding — perfect for home gardens, containers, or raised beds. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to grow beetroot from seed:

🌱 HOW TO GROW BEETROOT (BEETS) FROM SEED

📦 WHAT YOU NEED:

• Beetroot seeds (available in red, golden, and striped varieties)
• Well-draining soil (loamy or sandy preferred)
• Compost or organic fertilizer
• Garden bed, container, or pot (minimum 8–10 inches deep)
• Watering can or hose
• Sunlight (at least 4–6 hours/day)

🔁 STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE:

1. Choose the Right Time to Plant

• Best growing seasons:
  • Spring and Autumn in cooler areas
  • Late autumn to early spring in hot climates
• Beetroot grows best in cool weather (15–25°C / 59–77°F).

2. Prepare the Soil

• Loosen the soil 8–10 inches deep.
• Mix in compost or well-rotted manure.
• Soil pH should be around 6.0–7.0.
• Make sure the bed drains well — beetroot hates soggy soil.

3. Soak the Seeds (Optional but Helpful)

• Beetroot “seeds” are actually clusters of 2–4 seeds.
• Soak in warm water for 4–6 hours to speed up germination.

4. Sow the Seeds

• Sow seeds 1 cm (½ inch) deep.
• Space seeds 2.5–5 cm (1–2 inches) apart.
• Rows should be 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) apart.

🌱 Thin seedlings later — each seed cluster can sprout multiple plants.

5. Water Gently

• Water immediately after sowing.
• Keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged.
• Water regularly, especially during dry spells.

6. Germination Time

• Seeds germinate in 5–10 days, depending on temperature.

7. Thin the Seedlings

• Once the seedlings are 5–7 cm tall, thin them to 7–10 cm apart.
• You can use the thinned ones in salads — they’re edible!

8. Caring for the Plants

9. When to Harvest

• Ready in 50–70 days after sowing.
• Harvest when roots are 5–8 cm (2–3 inches) wide.
• Don’t let them get too big — they’ll get woody.

10. Harvesting

• Gently loosen the soil and pull up the beet.
• Cut the leaves off, leaving 1–2 cm of stem to avoid bleeding during storage.

📝 EXTRA TIPS:

• Beet greens (leaves) are edible and nutritious.
• Don’t overcrowd — good spacing = rounder, sweeter beets.
• Grow successively every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest.