Beetroot 'Boltardy' is a real winner - a traditional old favourite that has well earned its place as one of our best selling veg seeds. It is easy to grow, very reliable and has rich crimson globe shaped roots with the wonderful earthy sweet beetroot flavour.
Beetroot 'Boltardy' is a ‘bolt resistant’ variety. ‘Bolting’ occurs due to lack of water & this can lead to the roots becoming woody & splitting so it pays to water beetroots regularly. This variety has a long sowing season from March (with added protection eg cloches) until July and grows well in containers or pots.
It is best harvest the roots when the size of cricket balls or smaller (baby beets) as larger ones tend to be tough & woody. A few small attractive baby leaves can be picked whilst the beetroot is growing and these can be added to salads or steamed like spinach.
Beetroot is now being re-invented by cooks & chefs – no longer is it just pickled to death in vinegar but used in salads, tartlets with goats cheese even beetroot cakes and ice-cream. We still pickle some of our beetroots in jars with peppercorns & chillies to use over winter though. They do however store well when carefully picked & kept in a peat free alternative in a cool shed until the following March.
Homegrown beetroots – delicious!
