Boltardy Red Beetroot - Beta vulgaris

The Boltardy red beetroot is a biennial vegetable plant that grows to a height of 40 cm (16in). It is a heat-resistant variety that is cultivated for its round and smooth roots with a sweet taste, ideal for salads, cooked or raw. Sow from April to May for a harvest 4 months later.

Beetroots are biennial root vegetables. The first year is devoted to the accumulation of nutrients in the root. In the second year, the plant draws from this reserve to produce flowering and then seed production. The edible root is harvested in the first year, but if you want to produce your own seeds, you will need to wait until the following year by reserving a few plants for this purpose. Sometimes called red carrot or red root, beetroot varieties differ in their colour: there are red, white, yellow, orange or pink varieties, as well as in their cylindrical, spherical, ovate shapes, etc., and in their carbohydrate content.

They can be classified into three main categories:

• vegetable beetroots commonly planted in gardens,
• sugar beetroots grown in open fields to extract sugar,
• and finally, fodder beetroots intended for livestock but very tasty in human food.

Beetroot is not only a carbohydrate-rich food, but is also known for its high content of vitamins and minerals, especially potassium.

Storage: once the beetroots are pulled out, they are left to dry for a full day on the ground. To keep them throughout the winter, it is advisable to store them in a cool, dark place such as a cellar or pantry. To optimize storage and preserve the best taste qualities, you can bury them under a layer of dry sand.

The gardener's tip: beetroots should be planted in full sun but must also remain in cool soil. To maintain these two conditions, consider mulching around the plants.

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