Beetroot "Bona" (80 g)

* Table beet owes its popularity to valuable medicinal and nutritional properties.
It is useful for anemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and promotes intestinal peristalsis. Its roots contain minerals (potassium, calcium, phosphorus), sugars (8-15%), proteins (up to 2%), vitamins C and P. In addition, it contains such a useful substance as betaine, which regulates carbohydrate metabolism and reduces cholesterol in the blood.
Biological features and cultivation agrotechnics.
The best predecessors for beets are cucumbers, tomatoes, early cabbage.
In the Baltic region, beets are sown in late April - early May, when the soil warms up to +6+8°C. It should be borne in mind that until May 10 there are often frosts down to -8-9°C and seedlings may suffer. Leaves of adult plants can withstand short-term temperatures down to -6°C, but dug and uncovered roots are damaged at -2°C and store poorly. Frosts are especially dangerous for varieties whose roots are not buried in the soil.
Beets are demanding on soil fertility, which must be well-drained - a prolonged excess of moisture depresses the plant. The best soils for beets are loamy, sandy loam, chernozem soils rich in organic matter, as well as floodplain and drained peatlands. The soil should not be acidic, optimal pH 6.0-7.5. Where pH is 5.0 and below (indicated by plants such as sorrel, chickweed, yarrow), seedling death, stunted growth, and severe reddening of leaves are observed. It is necessary to apply 200-500 g/m² of lime, chalk, or ash.
On heavy soils, sand, peat, or sawdust (1 bucket per 1 m²) and compost should be added for loosening. Then you can get a good harvest.
If the soils are light, sandy, then to improve their absorption and water-holding capacity, apply compost 4-6 kg/m² and clay (up to 15%). Such soil warms up quickly in spring and is suitable for growing an early harvest.
High beet yields are obtained on peatlands with the application of lime and mineral fertilizers. Microelements are necessary, especially copper salts and boron.
On floodplain soils, you can do without fertilizers.
Soils with a shallow arable layer need to be dug deeply in the fall, loosened, limed, and organic and mineral fertilizers applied.
On soils prone to waterlogging, beets should be grown on high ridges.

Remember that:
1. Beetroot is a very light-loving plant. Even with slight shading, it can reduce the yield by 20-30%, so it is important to weed and thin it out in a timely manner.
2. The longer the vegetation period of the beet, the more nutrients accumulate in it. The more intense the color of the root pulp, the more vitamin C and betaine it contains.