How to intercrop beetroot

How to intercrop beetroot

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) is a plant of the Amaranthaceae family. There are different varieties of this plant: sugar, vegetable, fodder intended for livestock feeding.
Beetroot can be intercropped with various plants; among these we remember the most important ones such as with cabbage and cucumber but also with garlic, hemp, onion, lettuce, spinach, leek, turnip, radishes, aromatic herbs and marigolds.
However, intercropping with beans should be avoided.
Below are the main effects of intercropping beetroot with some plants.
Carrots: Carrots and beets complement each other in the soil. Beets help break up the soil, making it easier for carrot roots to grow.
Onions and garlic: These plants repel many pests that can damage beets, such as aphids and carrot flies.
Lettuce: Lettuce has shallow roots that do not compete with those of beetroot. Additionally, lettuce can provide a ground cover that helps maintain moisture.
Cabbages: Cabbages, as well as other plants in the brassica family, benefit from the presence of beets, which help improve soil structure.
Spinach: Spinach grows quickly and can be harvested before beets need all the available space, making them good companions.
Radishes: Radishes can be planted between rows of beets and harvested before the beets need all the space, while also helping to break up the soil.
Herbs: Herbs like mint, thyme and sage can help keep pests away and improve the flavor of beets.
Intercropping is a useful practice in the garden to improve the health of the plants and the yield of the crop, however it must always be done taking into account the respective pedoclimatic needs and the plants to be cultivated.