Beta vulgaris 'Red Hawk'

Beta vulgaris 'Red Hawk'

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 Hawk' is a fast-growing beetroot with a high sugar content, making it perfect for roasting or eating raw in salads. 'Red Hawk' shows good resistance to mildew and drought.