How to Grow Beetroot in a Rooftop Garden

Beetroot is a healthy and easy-to-grow vegetable. It is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The best part? You can grow it in your rooftop garden with just a few simple steps. In this blog, I will guide you on how to grow fresh, organic beetroot in containers or grow bags at home. 🌿🥕

🟢 Why Grow Beetroot on the Rooftop?

✅ Easy to grow – Requires little maintenance.
✅ Fast-growing – Ready to harvest in 45-60 days.
✅ Healthy & Nutritious – Rich in iron, fiber, and vitamins.
✅ Grows well in containers – Perfect for small spaces.

🌱 Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Beetroot

1️⃣ Choosing the Right Container

To grow beetroot on your rooftop, you need the right container.

✅ Use a Geo Fiber Grow Bag (18″x6″) or a pot (10-12 inches deep).
✅ Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
✅ A grow bag is better because it keeps the soil moist and allows the roots to breathe.

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2️⃣ Best Time to Plant

🌿 Beetroot grows best in cool weather.

✅ In West Bengal, plant beetroot between October and February (winter).
✅ Avoid extreme heat, as it slows down growth.

3️⃣ Preparing the Soil

Beetroot loves soft and well-drained soil. If the soil is hard, the beetroots will not grow properly.

✅ Take a big tub or container and mix:

• 40% normal garden soil
• 30% compost (vermicompost or cow dung manure)
• 20% cocopeat (to keep the soil moist)
• 10% sand (to improve drainage)

✅ Soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.5.
✅ Tip: Add some wood ash to the soil for better growth.

4️⃣ Sowing the Beetroot Seeds

🌱 Beetroot grows best when the seeds are planted directly in the soil.

✅ Soak the seeds in water overnight for faster germination.
✅ Plant the seeds ½ inch deep in the soil.
✅ Keep a gap of 2-3 inches between each seed so that the roots have space to grow.
✅ Water the soil gently after planting.

⏳ Seeds will start sprouting within 5-10 days!

5️⃣ Watering the Plants

💦 Watering is important for beetroot growth.

✅ Keep the soil moist but not too wet.
✅ Water every 2-3 days in winter and daily if the weather is dry.
✅ Do not overwater, as beetroot will rot.
✅ Tip: Add a layer of dry leaves or straw on top of the soil to keep the moisture.

6️⃣ Providing Sunlight

☀️ Beetroot needs at least 5-6 hours of sunlight every day.

✅ Keep the pots or grow bags in a sunny spot on your rooftop.
✅ If the sun is too strong, move them to partial shade in the afternoon.

7️⃣ Adding Fertilizers

🌱 Beetroot needs nutrients to grow big and healthy.

✅ Every 15 days, add:

• Vermicompost or cow dung manure – 2 handfuls per grow bag.
• Liquid mustard cake fertilizer – Soak in water and use.
• Biozyme Pro (SM Agro Products) – Helps boost root growth.

✅ Avoid too much nitrogen (like urea) as it will grow big leaves but small roots.

8️⃣ Thinning the Seedlings

🌱 After 2-3 weeks, the seedlings will grow. If they are too close to each other, the roots will not develop well.

✅ Keep 1 plant per 3 inches.
✅ Gently remove the extra seedlings and plant them elsewhere.

9️⃣ Protecting from Pests

🐛 Some common pests in beetroot plants are aphids and leaf miners.

✅ Spray neem oil (5ml per liter of water) every 7-10 days to prevent insects.
✅ Sprinkle wood ash around the plants to keep bugs away.
✅ Check leaves regularly and remove any infected leaves.

🔟 Harvesting Your Beetroot

🥕 After 45-60 days, your beetroot will be ready to harvest!

✅ When the bulbs are 2-3 inches wide, pull them out gently.
✅ Cut the leaves off but do not throw them away!
✅ Beet greens (leaves) are edible and can be used in salads or stir-fried.

🌿 Extra Tips for Success

✔️ Rotate crops – Do not grow beetroot in the same pot again immediately.
✔️ Mulching – Cover the soil with dry leaves or hay to keep it cool.
✔️ Mix plants – Grow beetroot with spinach, lettuce, or coriander.

💚 Conclusion

Growing beetroot on your rooftop is fun and easy. Just follow these simple steps, and in 2 months, you will have fresh, homegrown beets! 🏡💚

🌿 Have you ever grown beetroot at home? Share your experience in the comments! 😊💬

👉 Start your rooftop beetroot garden today! 🚀 Let me know if you need any help. 💚🌱