Ready to add some earthy goodness to your garden? Beetroot is the way to go! These ruby gems not only thrive in your backyard but also bring a burst of health benefits to your plate. From supporting healthy blood pressure to boosting your stamina, these vibrant roots brighten up your plate while packing a punch of nutrients, from vitamins to antioxidants.
Angelo Marman, co-founder of Abitzfarming located in Riverlands near Cape Town, suggests that the optimal time to sow beetroot in Mzansi is from August to springtime.
He says while beetroot can be grown throughout the year, its growth may slow down during the winter or colder months, with spring being particularly favourable.
Grow beetroot this way
Marman describes that for optimal growth, it’s essential to have loose, loamy soil rich in nutrients and supplemented with good fertiliser. He recommends planting seedlings or seeds at a depth of around 7cm in such soil.
“Watering beetroot twice a day for 30 minutes per session is ideal, and temperature may result in more or less.”
Angelo Marman
Marman suggests using chicken manure for fertilising beetroot works wonders and is cost-effective, particularly for mixed farmers.
“Beetroot does not have many pests. A good application of garlic/chillies/onion/stinging nettle solution with a regular neem oil and bicarbonate solution works.”
He recommends, “For fungus, you can use a vinegar solution with a ratio of 10 millimetres per litre of water, which lowers the pH. Fungi don’t like this.”
Soil types
According to Mandisa Mazibuko, an agronomist based in North-West, beetroot thrives in soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7. She advises avoiding waterlogged soils for optimal performance. Additionally, she notes that compacted soil can hinder root development, suggesting that beetroot prefers sandy loam to silt loam soils.
“The soil must have good drainage and be fertile.”
Mandisa Mazibuko
She recommends that proper plant spacing is important to avoid nutrient and water competition. Inter-row spacing should range from 20-45cm, with 15cm intra-row spacing.
Mazibuko points out that nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisers are necessary for crop growth. Before applying fertiliser, it’s crucial to conduct a soil analysis to determine the soil’s nutrient levels, she suggests and adds that beetroot takes about eight to eleven weeks to grow.
Pest control
Mazibuko advises field scouting to detect any damage or pest attacks on plants promptly, enabling timely application of control measures.
For cutworms and aphids, control methods such as crop rotation or the immediate application of Cypermethrin insecticide upon pest detection are recommended.
It’s essential to follow the instructions on the insecticide container when applying it, she cautions.
“Diseases that are likely to affect the growth of beetroot are leaf spot and Downey mildew.”
She says, “It is important to avoid over-irrigation or leaf wetness, plant in an area that allows proper aeration within the plants.”
Leaf spot, she explains, is typically favoured by areas with high humidity, leading to the development of brown spots on the leaves.
READ NEXT: HIV/Aids/TB: Turbo charge your immune system with nutrition
Seven colours
Sesethu Soga, from Burgundy Estate in Cape Town, says as a makoti, the only way to win over your in-laws is through the presentation of your plate. “When you serve your family, you want them to feel your love, care, and taste as a bonus,” she says.
“There is no way to complete a Sunday meal without beetroot. It always feels like something is missing.”
Nomasoja Mahem, a gym and health enthusiast from Carletonville in Gauteng, believes that beetroot is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various ways. She enjoys incorporating beetroot into her diet, whether it’s making her juice, including it in main meals, or adding it to salads.
“With beetroot, you can make a smoothie, juice, grill it, boil it, use it in salads, or serve it as a side vegetable with meals.”
Nomasoja Mahem
Mahem stresses the significance of beetroot in her fitness regimen as a gym enthusiast and weightlifter. She highlights its role in improving blood flow and aiding muscle contraction. To her, a week without beetroot feels like a missed opportunity for maintaining optimal performance and recovery.
Health Benefits
Kinza Hussain, a registered dietitian with The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, highlights that beetroot is low in fat and high in fibre.
It is also rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K. Due to its abundance of vitamins, beetroot has been associated with promoting good bone health, enhancing blood flow to the brain, supporting healthy cell growth, and aiding in red blood cell formation, according to Hussain.
“Beetroot is high in nitrates. Research has suggested that this improves heart health in multiple ways.”
Kinza Hussain
Hussain further explains that beetroot also contains antioxidants, compounds in foods that assist in repairing DNA and maintaining good cell health. Additionally, they possess anti-inflammatory properties, which play a role in reducing the risk of numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease.
ALSO READ: 7 colours: Find magic on a plate at the end of the rainbow
Get the Health For Mzansi newsletter: Your bi-weekly dose of kasi health, wellness and self-care inspiration.
