Beetroot

Beetroot is a valuable vegetable that is semi-hardy and biennial. It is grown year-round for its sweet, tender, succulent roots. Beet contains more sugar than any other vegetable, and its earthy taste and aroma are owed to an organic compound called geosmin.

Beets come in an array of colours, sizes, and shapes. The beets we know today originated in the Middle Ages from a plant called sea-beet (Beta vulgaris var. maritima) that grew on the dunes along the Caspian Sea. Originally, only the leaves were used because the roots were still small and underdeveloped. Beets with better-developed roots were documented in Roman literature at about 200 AD. In 300 BC, Romans regarded beetroot as a delicacy and ate it with vinegar and onions. Roman armies used beet as horse feed.

Centuries of selection resulted in the different kinds of beet we know today:

  • Swiss chard – those with abundant tender leaves.
  • Red table beets – the most common beets we all know.
  • Huge mangle beets – used for livestock feed.
  • Sugar beets – containing up to 20% sugar, used for a large part of the world’s sugar production.

Beetroot is mostly boiled and eaten with butter. Some varieties are very good for canning and cooled-down sliced beets are used as a salad with onions, spices, vinegar and sugar. Greens can be cooked just like Swiss chard (or as South Africans like to call it, "spinach") and are even more nutritious than the beet's roots and true spinach. Some beetroot, like the Chioggia, can even be used as a raw slicing beet in salad for a striking visual effect. 

Beets are best directly seeded as they do not transplant well. Soak the corky seeds in water overnight to aid in germination. Plant in full sun, about two weeks before the last spring frost. They do best in loose, well-prepared soil with lots of organic matter. To grow choice beets, encourage quick, steady growth by keeping the soil moist and weed-free. 

Coastal Areas:           Feb-Apr, Jul-Nov

Inland Areas:             Feb-Mar, Aug-Oct

Subtropical Areas:    Feb-Apr, Jul-Aug

 


Bull's Blood

Bull's Blood

Beta vulgarisThis outstanding heirloom variety from 1840 produces round, slightly flattened, deep re..

R31.35

Chioggia Beetroot

Chioggia Beetroot

Beta vulgarisAlso known as Candy Stripe, Candy Cane, Bull’s Eye, Turnip Bassano. A beautifully-colou..

R31.35

Crimson Globe

Crimson Globe

Beta vulgaris Crimson Globe is a great, fine-fleshed eating and storage variety. Grows well in most..

R31.35

Crosby Egyptian

Crosby Egyptian

Beta vulgarisA celebrated heirloom variety first introduced in Boston, USA, by farmer Josiah Crosby...

R31.35

Cylindra

Cylindra

Beta vulgarisAs the name suggests, this variety produces a long, slim, cylindrical-shaped beetroot, ..

R31.35

Detroit Dark Red Beetroot

Detroit Dark Red Beetroot

Beta vulgarisDetroit Dark Red is one of the most famous beetroot varieties, released in 1892 by the ..

R31.35

Early Wonder

Early Wonder

Beta vulgaris A popular heirloom beet that produces high yields of deep red roots. This well-li..

R31.35

Golden Globe Beetroot

Golden Globe Beetroot

Beta vulgaris A beautiful golden yellow beetroot, released in the USA in the early 1940s. This be..

R31.35

Lutz Green Leaf Beetroot (Red Stem)

Lutz Green Leaf Beetroot (Red Stem)

Beta vulgarisMost commonly referred to as "Winter keeper," this beetroot has outstanding storage pot..

R31.35

Ruby Queen Beetroot

Ruby Queen Beetroot

Beta vulgarisMedium-sized, smooth, deep red globes that retain their colour well when canned. The sw..

R31.35

Sugar Beet

Sugar Beet

Beta vulgaris THIS is the beetroot you're looking for if you want to make your own sugar. Histori..

R31.35

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Specials

Baccatum Pea

Baccatum Pea

Capsicum baccatum A wild chilli variety that produces Hot small fruits that are pea shaped. Fruits s..

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Big Riot Chocolate

Big Riot Chocolate

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Black Cephus

Black Cephus

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Black Prince Chilli

Black Prince Chilli

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CGN 16994

CGN 16994

Capsicum chinenseThought to originate from Brazil. This pepper is a Habanero wannabe. From the Haban..

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Clavo Red

Clavo Red

Capsicum ChinenseA relative of the habanero chilli. The fruits are elongated medium sized pods that ..

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Dixie Beans

Dixie Beans

Phaseolus lunatus Dixie beans, a charming bush lima bean variety, is known for its heat-loving resi..

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Facing Heaven

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Capsicum annuum A very old Chinese variety, with a distinct flavour. A pretty bush that has all t..

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Iditarod Red

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Solanum lycopersicumIditarod Red is the perfect choice for gardeners looking for a compact, early va..

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Loofah Lenyenye

Loofah Lenyenye

Luffa aegyptiacaThe Lenyenye Loofah is a real South African treasure. One of the rarest of loofahs i..

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Norfolk Green Globe Turnip

Norfolk Green Globe Turnip

Brassica rapaThis English heirloom has stood the test of time, dating back to the 16th century. Prod..

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Osborne and Clyde Pole Beans

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Phaseolus vulgarisA vigorous climbing bean that produces short, flat green pods with a reddish-purpl..

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Peacock Improved Watermelon

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Citrullus lanatusA tough vining watermelon with dark green oval fruits. The slightly tough rind encl..

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Ronde de Nice

Ronde de Nice

Cucurbita pepoA French zucchini heirloom variety that is a vigorous and quick growing. The pastel g..

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Scaly Bark Watermelon

Scaly Bark Watermelon

Citrullus lunatus Now here's a unique-looking watermelon. First listed in 1885, this very old US ..

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Silver Queen Okra

Silver Queen Okra

Abelmoschus esculentusA prolific producer of 8cm elegant lime-tinted pods if picked regularly. The ..

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Summer Star Tomato

Summer Star Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum The yields on this variety are noteworthy. These indeterminate plants are re..

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