Beetroot aren't so healthy?

[greenshoot]

Hi!

I've grown some beetroots in containers which doesn't seem to have these scaring on the leaves. But these ones I have grown in the ground don't look so well.

Please see:

[Zelenina]

Hi greenshoot. It looks like you've got beet leaf-miners. They are the maggots of a small fly that burrow between the layer of the leaves, eating as they go. They can be controlled by barrier netting, but once you've already got them it's too late.

So the best plan now is to pick off the damaged parts of the leaves, and dispose of them. Or you can squeeze the tunnels with a thumb and finger and crush the maggots inside. It doesn't affect the roots, except for maybe reducing their size if the leaves are badly damaged. It would be a worse problem on chard or perpetual spinach. And don't grow beets in the same place next year in case there are overwintering pupae in the soil.

[greenshoot]

Thank you. I'll take a closer look at rid of the infected leaves.