Edible garden: Beetroot

Fresh beetroot juice mixed with carrot, orange and ginger is a great spring detox drink. Photo / Supplied

How to grow it:

Beetroot is a classic Kiwi addition to a burger, so giving it a go in the vege garden would be the patriotic thing to do in this month of rugby mania.

Beetroot suit being planted after a heavy feeding crop such as cabbage.

Dig the soil, add a little compost and incorporate well.

If your soil is nice and fine, you can sow seed direct about 2cm apart in rows 25cm apart (after soaking for a couple of hours to soften their corky exterior) and cover with 1cm soil.

Thin when the seedlings have germinated to a final spacing of around 10-15cm.

Mulch seedlings with straw, and water well, but not too often.

If you have problems with the root not forming, boron deficiency could be the culprit.

In the kitchen:

Try beetroot juice with carrot and orange and a little ginger as a great spring detox drink after your late nights out.