Beetroot 'Sugarbeet'

Sugarbeet produces large, white-skinned, white-fleshed tapering roots with a very sweet and mild flavour. Leaves can also be eaten raw or cooked. 12-16 weeks to harvest. 50 seeds per packet.
Beetroot 'Sugarbeet'
Beetroot 'Sugarbeet'
Price Per Packet: $ 2.50

Growing Advice

Scientific Name: Beta vulgaris var. altissima

Common Names: Beetroot 'Sugarbeet', Sugar Beet, Sugarbeet

Family: Amaranthaceae

Origin:

Sugarbeets were first bred and grown for sugar production in the late 18th century in Germany.  Sugarbeets are still grown commercially to this day in cooler climates to produce sugar, while sugarcane is used instead in warmer climates where it is more productive per acre.  The is a heritage, non-GMO, open-pollinated variety of Sugarbeet, meaning you can save the seeds year after year and they'll grow true to type.

Culinary Uses:

Sugarbeets are a versatile and highly productive vegetable, the roots can be boiled, sliced and added to sandwiches or grated raw into salads.  They are also suitable for pickling, roasting, frying, steaming and grilling.  The taste of Sugarbeet is like a juicy white potato with added sweetness.  Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads and older leaves can be eaten cooked as a leafy green vegetable.  The chopped leaves make a great spinach alternative in cooked dishes.

Growing Tips:

Sugarbeets should be grown in full sun in temperate and cooler regions, or in light shade in subtropical and tropical regions.  Sugarbeet grown in full sun in warmer climates will be less sweet than Sugarbeet grown in the shade.  Sugarbeets require good drainage or their roots will rot, grow Sugarbeets in raised beds if your soil is compacted or heavy with clay.  Sugarbeets are large so be sure to turn over the soil in your vegetable beds with a garden fork well prior to sowing to loosen it up so that the roots are not impeded when growing downwards.  Remove any small rocks or pebbles you find as these can cause deformities if the roots encounter them while growing.  Sugarbeets are heavy feeders so be sure to incorporate lots of organic fertilisers, well-rotted manures, worm castings and/or compost into the soil to provide your Sugarbeets with all the nutrients they need to grow.  Water regularly, Sugarbeets grown without adequate water will become woody and hard.  Don't over-fertilise or over-water once plants are established or they'll produce lots of leafy growth with little root expansion.  Mulch around your Sugarbeet plants well to retain moisture, keep their roots cool and suppress weeds.  Mound mulch or soil over exposed parts of your Sugarbeet roots as they grow to prevent discolouration and toughness due to sunlight.

When To Sow:

In cooler regions of Australia sow Sugarbeet seeds from September to April.  In temperate regions of Australia sow Sugarbeet seeds from July to April.  In subtropical regions of Australia sow Sugarbeet seeds any time of the year.  In tropical regions sow Sugarbeet seeds from March to June.  Sugarbeets grown in subtropical and tropical regions are unlikely to reach their maximum sweetness but can still be grown for their copious leaves.

How To Sow:

Sow Sugarbeet seeds 2cm deep spacing plants about 30cm apart to allow for root expansion.  Sugarbeet seeds are actually a dried, clustered fruit containing multiple seeds so thin to the strongest seedling if more than one germinates per spot.  Soaking Sugarbeet seeds in lukewarm water overnight prior to sowing can increase germination rates.

Germination Time:

Sugarbeet seeds take between 8 and 10 days to emerge after sowing.

Time To Harvest:

Sugarbeet roots will be ready to dig up 12 to 16 weeks after sowing the seeds, depending on growing conditions.  Leaves can be picked as soon as they are big enough and picking some of the leaves will encourage the plants to put more energy into forming their roots.  Don't strip the plants bare though or they'll concentrate on replacing their leaves instead.