How to Grow Beetroot (Chukandar) at Home in Pakistan

🌸 Quick Botanical Profile

• Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris

• Family: Amaranthaceae

• Pollination: Mostly self-pollinated

• Flowering Habit: Biennial (flowers in the second year if not harvested)

🌿 Companion Planting

✅ Good Companions:

• Lettuce

• Onions

• Cabbage

• Garlic

❌ Avoid Planting Near:

• Beans (may stunt growth)

• Mustard (inhibits beet growth)

⏱️ Growth Timeline

How-To by Growth Stage

Starting

• Sowing Method: Direct sow

• Spacing: 7–10 cm apart

• Depth: 1.5–2 cm

• Soil Temperature: 15–25°C

• Watering: Twice a day until germination

• ✅ Use ApnaUgao Potting Mix

• ✅ Use 10–12 inch deep Grow Bags

Seedling

• Thin seedlings to 3–4 inches apart after 2–3 weeks

• Keep soil evenly moist

• No transplanting needed for beets

Vegetative

• Fertilize: Every 2–3 weeks

• Use:

  • Bone Meal

  • Vermicompost

• Watering: Deep watering every 2 days

• Mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds

Harvest

• Time: 55–70 days after sowing

• When to Harvest: When roots are 5–7 cm wide, and tops start bulging

• How to Harvest: Gently pull or loosen with a hand tool

• Storage: Remove tops and store roots in cool, dry place or refrigerator

• Propagation: Let 1–2 plants bolt in the second year if seed saving

Scientific Variations – ApnaUgao Varieties

• Botanical Type: Beta vulgaris var. conditiva

• Your Listed Varieties:

  • Desi Chukandar – Traditional reddish-purple root

  • Detroit Dark Red – Globe-shaped, juicy, heirloom type

  • Aplastada de Egipto – Flattened shape, early maturing

  • Beteraba Cylindra – Long cylindrical roots, ideal for slicing

• Types:

  • Heirloom: All listed

  • Open-Pollinated: Yes

✅ Benefits of Beetroot

• Rich in iron, fiber, and antioxidants

• Supports blood pressure, digestion, and detoxification

• Delicious in salads, soups, pickles, or juices

• The leaves are also edible and nutrient-dense!

Note: Health claims are for educational purposes, not medical advice.

🛒 Shop ApnaUgao Essentials

• Grow Bags

• Organic Potting Mix

• Bone Meal

• Vermicompost