Bull's Blood Beetroot Microgreen Seeds

Beetroot is a slower, more demanding microgreen than crops such as broccoli or radish. Its irregular seed clusters benefit from pre-soaking, good seed-to-medium contact and a relatively long covered establishment period before the tray is moved into light.

If you are new to tray growing, see the OzSprout How to Grow Microgreens at Home guide for the general process.

What You Need

• Bull's Blood Beetroot Microgreen Seeds
• A shallow growing tray with drainage holes
• A solid lower tray for bottom watering
• Fine seed-raising mix, propagation mix or another suitable soil-based microgreen medium
• Clean drinking-quality water
• A clean container for soaking
• A second tray or suitable blackout cover
• Fine growing medium or vermiculite for a light covering if desired
• Bright natural light or a suitable grow light

Seed Rate

For a standard 25 × 50cm microgreen tray, use approximately:

28–40g dry seed per tray

Measure the seed before soaking.

Beetroot seed is unusual because what appears to be a single seed is actually a corky seed cluster that can contain more than one seed.

Spread the clusters evenly and avoid thick overlapping piles. Good seed-to-medium contact is particularly important with beetroot.

Pre-Soak

Pre-soak for approximately:

6–8 hours in cool water

1. Measure the dry seed.
2. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Place in a clean soaking container.
4. Cover generously with clean, cool water.
5. Soak for approximately 6–8 hours.
6. Drain thoroughly.
7. Rinse once more if required.
8. Allow excess water to drain before sowing.

Avoid unnecessarily prolonged soaking, particularly in warm conditions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Clean your equipment. Wash and thoroughly rinse the growing tray, lower tray, soaking container and cover before starting.
2. Prepare the growing medium. Add approximately 2–3cm of fine seed-raising mix, propagation mix or another suitable soil-based microgreen medium.
3. Moisten the medium. Water evenly and allow excess water to drain. The medium should be damp throughout without being waterlogged.
4. Pre-soak the seed. Soak for approximately 6–8 hours and drain thoroughly.
5. Sow evenly. Spread approximately 28–40g dry-seed equivalent across a 25 × 50cm tray. Avoid dense overlapping patches.
6. Improve seed contact. Press the seed clusters firmly but gently against the surface.
7. Apply a light covering if desired. A very thin layer of fine growing medium or vermiculite can help maintain moisture, improve seed contact and assist emerging seedlings in shedding the rough seed clusters.
8. Mist carefully. Moisten the surface without saturating it.
9. Cover the tray. Place another tray or suitable blackout cover over the crop for approximately 5–7 days.
10. Apply only light pressure if required. Beetroot benefits from good contact with the growing medium, but substantial weighting is unnecessary.
11. Check moisture daily. Maintain consistent moisture without repeatedly saturating the tray.
12. Move into light. Remove the cover once the seedlings are well rooted and pushing strongly upward.
13. Maintain airflow. Provide good airflow once the crop is uncovered.
14. Bottom water once established. When the roots have developed through the growing medium, switch primarily to watering from below.

Blackout & Pressure

Allow approximately:

5–7 days of covered establishment

A second tray or opaque blackout cover is suitable.

Light pressure can help maintain contact between the irregular seed clusters and the growing surface, particularly during early germination.

Avoid substantial or prolonged weighting.

Use the development of the crop as the final guide. Remove the cover once the seedlings are well rooted and pushing strongly upward rather than leaving them covered simply because a fixed number of days has not passed.

Germination

Expect germination in approximately:

3–5 days

Beetroot may emerge less uniformly than small brassica seeds.

One seed cluster can also produce multiple seedlings, which contributes to the naturally uneven appearance of young beetroot trays.

Maintain steady moisture during this stage without waterlogging the medium.

Temperature

Aim for approximately:

18–24°C

Moderate conditions support steady germination and growth.

Cool conditions may slow the crop, while excessive warmth combined with saturated growing medium and poor airflow can increase growing problems.

Growing Medium

Beetroot performs best in a fine, moisture-retentive growing medium with enough structure and depth for its developing root system.

Suitable choices include:

• fine seed-raising mix;
• fine propagation mix;
• screened quality potting mix; or
• another suitable soil-based microgreen medium.

For more information about choosing a medium, see Best Growing Medium for Microgreens.

Light & Colour Development

Once seedlings are established:

• remove the blackout cover;
• provide bright natural light or suitable grow lights;
• maintain consistent light each day;
• provide good airflow; and
• avoid excessive heat.

Good light encourages compact growth and development of the characteristic crimson, magenta and burgundy colouring.

Some variation in colour and seedling height is normal.

Watering

Keep the growing medium consistently moist without allowing it to remain saturated.

During early germination, mist or gently surface-water only when required.

Once the roots are established, bottom watering is preferable.

For more detail, see How to Water Microgreens: Misting vs Bottom Watering.

When bottom watering:

• add a shallow amount of water to the lower tray;
• allow the growing medium to absorb moisture from below;
• check the moisture level before adding more;
• avoid leaving the tray permanently standing in deep water; and
• minimise repeated wetting of established foliage.

Beetroot dislikes both prolonged dryness and continuously waterlogged conditions, so aim for steady moisture rather than heavy watering.

Seed Hulls

Beetroot seed clusters have a hard, irregular outer structure, and pieces can remain attached to emerging seedlings.

A very light covering of fine growing medium during germination can help seedlings shed some of this material naturally as they emerge.

If hull material remains attached:

• allow it time to loosen naturally;
• avoid aggressively pulling at delicate seedlings;
• gently remove loose material from the canopy where practical; and
• do not worry if a small amount remains during early growth.

Tips for Best Results

• Measure the seed before soaking.
• Pre-soak for approximately 6–8 hours.
• Drain thoroughly before sowing.
• Use a fine soil-based growing medium.
• Spread the seed clusters evenly.
• Maintain good seed-to-medium contact.
• Avoid excessive weighting.
• Expect somewhat uneven emergence.
• Keep moisture consistent without saturation.
• Maintain good airflow after uncovering.
• Provide good light for stronger colour.
• Bottom water once roots establish.
• Allow time for attached seed material to loosen naturally.

Root Hairs vs Mould

Fine white hairs around developing roots may simply be normal root hairs.

Root hairs generally:

• grow directly from individual roots;
• appear relatively evenly around the root zone; and
• become less visible when wet.

Mould is more likely to spread irregularly between seed clusters, over the growing medium or onto plant tissue and may occur with slime, decay, collapsed seedlings or an abnormal smell.

If you are unsure, see Mould vs Root Hairs on Sprouts & Microgreens.

Harvest & Storage

Harvest approximately:

10–18 days from sowing

Rather than harvesting solely according to age, look for:

• fully opened cotyledons;
• healthy crimson or magenta stems;
• developed green, red or burgundy foliage;
• upright