To grow beets in containers, choose a pot that is at least 12 inches deep with good drainage. Fill it with loose, well-draining potting mix and sow seeds directly into the soil.

Containers You can grow almost anything in a container. Just make sure it has drainage holes and is big enough to support the plants’ root system.

Seeds should be sown 1/2-inch deep, spaced 2 inches apart in deep containers or garden beds. Beets can be picked at seven to nine weeks, when their crowns protrude 1 to 2 inches above the soil line.

It’s so easy to grow lettuce, kale, beets and carrots in a container. You still have time if you start now. Maureen Wilson is a Metroland columnist, writing Eat Well Spend Almost Nothing ...

Aftercare When the seedlings are about 2cm tall thin out to leave the strongest seedlings plenty of space to grow - chard needs 30cm between plants, spinach beet 38cm and spinach 25cm.

Now, having said this, the container needed to grow root crops would need to be deeper to accommodate the long roots, but carrots, beets, parsnips and turnips are all possible.