Bulls Blood Beetroot - 0.5 Gram

Bull’s Blood is a dual-purpose heirloom beet variety prized for both its deep red roots and dark purple-red leaves, which are tender and edible. The beetroot itself is round, sweet, and earthy, while the striking leaves are perfect for salads or baby greens. It’s a great choice for edible landscaping due to its rich colour.

Sowing Time
Early spring to early summer (or in autumn in mild climates). Sow every 2–3 weeks for a continuous harvest.

Soil
Light, well-draining, fertile soil, rich in organic matter. Avoid compacted or stony soil which can cause forked roots.

pH
Neutral to slightly acidic (6.0–7.0)

Sowing Method
Direct sow outdoors—beets don’t transplant well.

Depth & Spacing

Sow seeds 1.5–2 cm deep

5–8 cm apart in rows 25–30 cm apart

Thin seedlings to 10 cm apart once true leaves form

Light
Full sun to light partial shade

Watering
Keep soil evenly moist, especially during germination and root development

Germination Time
7–14 days, depending on temperature

Growing Tips

Thinning
Beetroots are multigerm seeds—thin seedlings early to give each root room to grow.

Mulching
Helps retain moisture and keep roots cool.

Feeding
Apply balanced organic fertiliser before sowing if soil is low in nutrients. Avoid high nitrogen fertilisers, which encourage leafy growth at the expense of roots.

Harvesting

Leaves Start harvesting baby leaves when 5–10 cm long

Roots Harvest when golf ball to tennis ball size (roughly 5–8 cm across), around 50–70 days after sowing

Common Pests & Problems

Flea Beetles

Symptoms Small round holes in leaves

Control Use fine mesh row covers; plant trap crops like radish

Leaf Miners

Symptoms White squiggly trails inside leaves

Control Remove affected leaves; use row covers

Aphids

Symptoms Curling/distorted leaves, sticky residue

Control Spray with soapy water or neem oil

Slugs & Snails

Symptoms Large irregular holes in leaves, especially at night

Control Slug traps, hand-picking, or copper barriers

Bolting (Premature Flowering)

Cause Stress from dry soil, sudden temperature swings, or sowing too early

Prevention Keep soil evenly moist and avoid sowing too early in cold conditions