Propagation
Prepare fresh seed during early spring by pre-soaking the seeds in water for 3 hours then sow in situ 300mm (12in) apart 12mm (˝in) deep.

Cover with sandy soil and lightly mulch keeping the soil evenly moist. ssuccessive plantings every 10 to 14 days will ensure continued supply of tender beets.

Botanic information
Leaf: The mid-green leaves are oblong to ovate with a long purple-red arching petiole and leaf veins. Some cultivars have red to purple coloured leaf blades.

Flower: The small green to red flowers are arranged in a spike-like cyme that is held above the foliage on a slender scape up to 1m (3ft) tall. They appear during midsummer.

Fruit: The small fruit is dry and slightly prickly nut and the seeds are in clusters of 2-4.


Sowing seeds
In temperateclimates seeds may be sown from mid winter to early autumn and in colderclimates from early spring to late summer. In tropicalclimates seeds may be sown throughout the year but avoiding the wet season.

Seeds should be sown at intervals of 3 to 6 weeks to produce succession of mature plants.
The seeds germinate within 14 days and should be separated when large enough to handle taking care not to damage the fine surface roots.

Keep the plant moist during dry periods and apply complete liquid fertiliser weekly during the growing period.