A long period of time
If the beetroot has been grown early in March, the harvest can begin in May with a little luck. However, this also depends on the variety. In May the roots are still small and tender. Only from July onwards are the roots larger and the harvest more productive.
also read
- The beetroot season: when is it time?
- Beetroot: cook it and then put it in the freezer!
- In the world of colorful diversity: beetroot varieties
When harvesting it should be noted that the tubers have a diameter between 2.5 and 7.5 cm. This is usually the case from July. The ideal time of day to harvest the beetroot is in the afternoon or evening.
The main season for the harvest starts in October. In autumn it is important to ensure that the beetroot is not exposed to severe frost. It can withstand temperatures down to -3 ° C.
The most important steps when harvesting beetroot
It is not just the timing that decides whether or not the beetroot harvest is successful. There are a few points to consider when harvesting itself:
- Pull or dig up the roots from the ground
- do not separate the stems completely (if they are between 2 and 3 cm long, they can be stored longer)
- twist off the leaves and do not cut them (otherwise the tuber will 'bleed to death')
To make harvesting easier, a so-called digging fork can be used as an aid. This carefully lifts the tuber in the ground and presses it to the surface. The forelock is grabbed with the hands and the tuber is finally pulled out.
The tubers can be stored refrigerated for several months after harvest. For example, they can be stored in the refrigerator or in damp sand in a box in the basement. The quality of the tubers after storage differs depending on the variety.
Tips & Tricks
The leaves of the beetroot can also be harvested. This should be done early when they are still tender, small (no larger than 10 cm) and low in oxalic acid. But be careful: In order for the tuber to continue to grow, not all leaves must be cut off.
