Cylindra Beetroot: What is it & When to Grow it

Last Updated on April 27, 2022 by Real Men Sow

This year I grew Cylindra beetroot, a variety I’ve never tried before. They were a bargain buy from the allotment shop at the princely sum of 85p. As it is a new vegetable in my garden, I decided to share some of the basics of growing beetroot, specifically the Cylindra beetroot.

Why is Cylindra Beetroot Different?

It took me a while to notice, but the difference between this beetroot variety and other beets is the shape. I suppose the clue is in the title, but I didn’t click when I bought the seed. Only when the beetroot began to get to a decent baby beet size did I notice that the root grows in a long, cylindrical shape, rather than like a tennis ball.

How Does Cylindra Beetroot Grow?

Compared to other varieties, Cylindra Beetroot grows slower. The variety grows slower than the traditional round beetroots, so I was left a little frustrated at not tucking into beetroots as early as I normally do.

What is Special About Cylindra Beetroot?

Three are two unique and beneficial things about cylindra beetroot: uniformity and slicing qualities.

The beets all grow the same shape and are very nearly the same size. For an organised gardener who loves regularity, this variety is a dream.

And being a lovely, elongated tubular shape makes these beets a joy to slice and use. Each slice is the same size, so much easier to work with than an uneven round beetroot, and looks very presentable on the plate. In fact, this is attractive veg all round. As well as the unique shape, the skin is shiny and smooth and the colour deep and red.

I’m not sure I sowed the seed deep enough as some seedlings grew out at an angle, but generally, once they established the roots stood proud a few inches out of the ground. Apparently you can earth them up too, which increases the time they’ll stay in the ground in good condition for longer.

How Tall do Cylindra Beets Grow?

One real bonus I’ve found is that the roots don’t go woody and they grow easily. They just keep growing happily and even the biggest root I’ve harvested (about 6 inches) tasted sweet and the remaining beets are still tasting good now.

Practically, the shape is a bonus for people with small spaces or employing the square feet gardening technique as they can be planted closer together than globe varieties. Like all other beets, the seedlings transplant without fuss too, so don’t throw away those thinnings.

Should You Start Growing Cylindra? You Bet!

This beet was a real find and is my new favourite beetroot variety. Normally I go with the old reliables Boltardy and Detroit Globe, but next year I’m going to stick with Cylindra.

I do have mixed feelings about trying different veg varieties – I find reassurance in the tried and trusted varieties that have served me well in the past, but I also enjoy trying new ones to see how they fit in with my growing patterns.

There is something stimulating about continuous veg growing refinement, as an on-going mission to find the perfect combination of plants for my environment. If you’re on the hunt for an attractive, consistent, and space-efficient beetroot for your own growing area, I’d thoroughly recommend Cylindra.

Real Men Sow
Real Men Sow

Hello, I’m Pete and I’m currently based in the west of Scotland, in a small place called Rosneath, where I’m exploring my garden adventures. I personally started gardening around 6 years ago and initially, I started out by growing my favorite fruits and berries, such as strawberries, Raspberries & Gooseberries. Since then I’ve added a lot of vegetables and working closely with my neighbor, it’s been a lot of fun.

2 thoughts on “Cylindra Beetroot: What is it & When to Grow it”

  1. I’m going to give them a try Jono! I have varied success with beetroot, but I think I’ve gotten my soil loosened enough for a successful crop next year. I’ve also decided that I’m reducing the variety of the edibles I plant next year — beetroot makes the cut though. 🙂

  2. I´ve grown these for the last couple of years and think they are great for the reasons you state.
    They seem to intercrop well on the mounds close to my parsnips rather than given their own full space.
    I slice them long ways and roast them,adding some balsamic vinegar at the end.Yum.

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