Beetroot is a fairly undemanding vegetable and can be easily grown in the garden. But how many nutrients do beets need? Find out below whether and how much you should fertilize the beetroot.
How should I fertilize beetroot?
Beetroot requires medium nutrient requirements and should be supplied with potassium-containing fertilizers such as compost, nettle or comfrey manure. Excessive fertilizing can lead to increased nitrate levels. Ideal pH value is between 6 and 7.
Nutritional requirements of beetroot
The beetroot is a medium-feeder, which means it has medium nutrient requirements. In the crop rotation, it is therefore grown in the bed in the second year after the heavy feeders. You can find out more about the four-field economy here.
Less is more
This principle definitely applies to beetroot, because if too much fertilizer is applied, the nitrate content in the beetroot increases. Nitrate is harmful to he alth, which is why intake should be kept as low as possible. Nitrogen and too much sun increase nitrates in beets. Up to 5000mg per kilo of beetroot is possible.
The right fertilizer for beetroot
You guessed it, nitrogen is not right for beetroot. Instead, the beetroot needs fertilizer containing potassium. As in most cases, compost is a good, very complete choice. Nettle and comfrey manure are also suitable for fertilizing beetroot as they supply them with potassium. Rock powder can also be used. If the beetroot is not supplied with sufficient nutrients, it grows poorly.
If you prefer to use liquid fertilizer (€19.00 on Amazon), you can buy special liquid fertilizer for vegetables from specialist retailers.
When and how much is fertilized?
If there are enough nutrients in the vegetable patch, the beetroot does not need to be fertilized at all. This is the case, for example, if the bed has been enhanced with green manure. Otherwise, you should add a few shovels of compost or manure to the bed before sowing or planting. If the soil is very poor in nutrients, you should fertilize again with compost in the growth phase, i.e. around six weeks after sowing.
Liquid fertilizers are short-term fertilizers and therefore have to be applied more often. For details, consult the manufacturer's information.
The optimal pH value
The beetroot favors a slightly acidic pH value between 6 and 7. If this value is too high, deficiency symptoms can occur or the beetroot grows poorly. You can easily determine the pH value of your soil with a test strip from the pharmacy.
Tip
The right location and good neighbors have a positive effect on the growth of beetroot. So pay attention to both when planning your garden.
