Beta vulgaris 'Red Ace'

Beetroot, Beta vulgaris, is easy to grow and makes the perfect crop for 'beginner' gardeners. Roots are usually cylindrical or globe-shaped, and range in colour from darkest purple-red to pink, yellow and even white. Harvest them when they are young – no bigger than a golf ball – and eat them pickled, roasted, or grated and used in salads. Don't forget the leaves, which can also be harvested – use young greens in salads and older ones blanched like spinach.

Beta vulgaris 'Red Ace' bears round to oval roots in deepest dark red. Growth is strong and vigorous, making plants more tolerant of dry, sandy soils than other varieties. 'Red Ace' is particularly suitable for exhibiting.