My first experiences with rising beets have been purely for the pictures—they’re such a stunning vegetable. I’d harvest them, snap a number of photographs for social media, after which hand them off to my neighbor, who loves them. However as soon as I found milder varieties like golden beets, I spotted they have been extra than simply photogenic. Now, I develop them for myself, not only for the beautiful pics!
Beets are available in many shapes, sizes, and colours, and so they’re grown for his or her earthy-sweet roots and nutritious greens. Typically hailed as a “superfood,” they’re full of fiber, antioxidants, and important nutritional vitamins, making them a wonderful addition to any backyard. In case you’re inquisitive about methods to develop beets—whether or not it’s methods to develop beets from seeds or transplants—this information will stroll you thru choosing the proper varieties, caring in your crops, and discovering the perfect time to reap beets.
Article Index
Plant Beets on the Proper Time
Select the Greatest Location
Discover Completely different Varieties
Plant Beets Accurately
Present Correct Take care of Beets
Harvest Beets for Greatest Taste
Use Each A part of the Beet
1. Plant Beets on the Proper Time
Earlier than diving into methods to develop beets from seeds or transplants, figuring out when to plant them is important. Beets wrestle if temperatures climb too excessive in sizzling climates (like mine), so cautious timing is vital. The appropriate planting window could make all of the distinction in how rapidly your beet crop grows and the way flavorful your harvest will probably be.
Cool climates: Plant beets about one month earlier than your final spring frost date, as soon as soil temperatures attain no less than 50°F. Study extra about checking soil temperature on this information.
Late-season planting: You may also plant beets in late summer time or early fall (typically June to September), as they tolerate mild frost and near-freezing climate.
Scorching-summer climates (like Arizona’s low desert): Beets thrive through the cooler months right here.Arizona Low Desert Beet Planting Dates:
Vegetable, Herb, and Fruit Planting Information for the Low Desert of Arizona
The last word useful resource for gardeners in arid areas with sizzling summers and delicate winters—designed particularly for the low desert of Arizona.It options info on how and when to begin seeds indoors and when to transplant them exterior for practically 100 totally different fruits, greens, and herbs.
2. Select the Greatest Location
Discovering the best spot is a key step in methods to develop beets efficiently. Although beets want cooler circumstances, they nonetheless want ample daylight and the best sort of soil.
Daylight: Intention for no less than 6 hours of day by day solar.
Soil: Free, and well-draining soil is good. Intention for a soil depth of no less than 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). In case you have heavier or shallow soil, search for smaller or spherical beet varieties that don’t want as a lot depth. An excessive amount of nitrogen within the soil encourages leafy progress on the expense of bulbs.
Companion planting: Good neighbors for beets embrace bush beans, onions, and kohlrabi. Keep away from planting the place Swiss chard or spinach grew just lately, as they will entice comparable pests and deplete comparable vitamins. Get extra concepts for cool-season companion crops on this information.
3. Discover Completely different Forms of Beets
I used to assume I disliked beets due to their sturdy, earthy style, so I used to be pleasantly stunned after I found the milder flavors of golden and different specialty varieties. In case you’ve been on the fence about beets (like I as soon as was), attempt differing kinds earlier than ruling them out.
(For seed sources, click on the range names)
Early Surprise: Flavorful roots and tender 18″ greens excessive in nutritional vitamins A and C, iron, and potassium. Excellent for delicate climates.
Detroit Darkish Pink Beet Seeds: Lovely, deep crimson beets don’t get woody, as do smaller varieties if allowed to develop giant.
Chioggia: Well-known for its red-and-white striped inside. Much less vulnerable to bolting than different varieties.
Golden: These orange-hued beets have tender flesh and don’t bleed like pink beets. Sow seeds closely as a consequence of decrease germination charges.
Beets are a straightforward cool-season crop and ideal for inexperienced persons. Learn this information for extra concepts for cool-season greens that you just begin from seed.
4. Plant Beets Accurately
Now that you just’ve chosen the perfect spot and planting window, let’s speak about rising beets from seeds and transplants. Beets are one of many few root greens that tolerate being transplanted, so you can begin them indoors or sow them instantly outside. Correct planting and thinning will assist guarantee a powerful, wholesome crop.
A number of seeds in a single “seed”: Every beet “seed” can include as much as six particular person seeds. You’ll typically see a number of seedlings rising from a single spot, so thinning is vital for good root growth.
Depth & spacing: Plant seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep, with 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) between seeds. As soon as seedlings attain about 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) tall, skinny them so every beet has the house to “bulb up.”
Thinning suggestions: Don’t discard these additional seedlings—beets deal with transplanting higher than most root crops, so you’ll be able to replant the thinnings in one other a part of the backyard or get pleasure from them as tender child greens in salads.
Succession planting: Sow recent seeds each few weeks for a steady harvest over the season. Study extra about succession planting on this information.
Sq. Foot Gardening: Relying on the range, plant 9–16 beets per sq. foot (roughly 9–16 crops per 30 x 30 cm sq.).
Rising in containers: You’ll be able to develop beets in a small pot, however ensure that it’s no less than 12 inches deep and has drainage holes.
Beginning indoors: In case you’d wish to learn to develop beets from transplants, start by sowing seeds in small pots. As seedlings sprout, skinny or separate them, then transplant to your backyard. Area them about 3 inches (7.5 cm) aside in free soil. Discover ways to begin seeds indoors right here.
5. Present Correct Care
The important thing to rising candy, tender beets is constant care. Beets develop finest once they can develop rapidly with out stress. Scorching temperatures may cause them to bolt (flower prematurely), which makes the roots woody and the greens bitter and inedible. Beets are biennial, that means they naturally produce seeds of their second yr, however bolting can happen earlier if crops are pressured by warmth. In case your beets bolt, it’s finest to reap them instantly—feed your entire plant to the chickens or let the crops flower to supply nectar for pollinators.
Suggestions for optimum beet care:
Daylight is vital: Beets want no less than 6 hours of daylight per day to develop rapidly and develop flavorful roots. Guarantee they’re planted in a spot with full solar throughout winter. Gentle shade is most popular as temperatures climb in late spring.
Water constantly: Soil must be moist however not waterlogged. Inconsistent watering may cause powerful roots or uneven progress. You might have to water extra typically throughout dry spells. Study extra about watering your backyard on this information.
Cool soil with mulch: If temperatures are heat, apply a thick layer of mulch to maintain the soil cool and retain moisture.
Feed the soil, not the plant: Beets grown in wealthy, fertile soil don’t want additional fertilizer through the season. An excessive amount of nitrogen may end up in lush greens however small roots.
Widespread Pests and Ailments
Beets are comparatively low-maintenance, however a number of pests and illnesses can influence your crop. Right here’s what to look at for:
Flea Beetles: Tiny holes within the leaves point out flea beetle harm. Shield crops with row covers or mulch, and hold the soil moist to cut back their exercise.
Leaf Miners: These pests create squiggly traces in leaves as they tunnel via. Take away and eliminate affected leaves to forestall spreading.
Downy Mildew: A fungal illness that causes yellowing and fuzzy progress on leaves. Enhance air circulation and keep away from overhead watering.
Powdery Mildew: White, powdery spots on leaves are brought on by this fungal illness. Enhance air circulation and keep away from overhead watering. Discover ways to deal with and forestall powdery mildew on this information.
Correct care, crop rotation, and good backyard hygiene may help reduce these points and hold your beets wholesome.
6. Harvest Beets on the Proper Time
The very best time to reap beets is when the roots are nonetheless small and tender. This ensures you get the sweetest taste and probably the most nutrient-packed greens.
Harvest greens: Choose beet greens as soon as they’re giant sufficient to make use of, however depart some leaves to maintain the foundation wholesome.
Root dimension: Most beets style finest once they’re 1–2½ inches in diameter. Gently brush the soil apart to verify its dimension when you’re uncertain.
Keep away from woody texture: Leaving beets within the floor for too lengthy may cause them to turn into woody.
Storage: Harvest earlier than a tough frost, clip the greens, and retailer the roots in a cool spot. For minimal bleeding, twist off greens as a substitute of chopping them.
7. Use Each A part of the Beet
Lastly, right here’s the enjoyable half: beets are extremely versatile, and you may get pleasure from each a part of the plant when you’ve mastered rising beets.
Child greens: Toss beet thinnings into salads.
Mature greens: Sauté or use rather than Swiss chard, spinach, or different leafy greens. Use them in my favourite Swiss chard recipes on this information.
Roots: Roast, steam, juice, fry, or slice them recent in salads.
Preserving: Pickle, can, or ferment beets to maintain them longer.
Storage: As soon as harvested, separate greens from the beets, retailer them in plastic produce baggage, and refrigerate them.
(Enjoyable reality: Some gardeners (together with me!) mistake beet greens for Swiss chard as a result of the leaves look so comparable—till they uncover a hidden beet root connected!)
Steadily Requested Questions About Rising Beets
1. Can beets tolerate frost?Sure, beets are cold-hardy and might tolerate mild frost and near-freezing temperatures. In truth, cooler climate typically enhances the sweetness of the roots. Nevertheless, they need to be harvested earlier than a tough freeze, as it might harm the roots.
2. What vitamins do beets must develop properly?Beets thrive in soil wealthy in natural matter with balanced vitamins. They want nitrogen for wholesome greens, phosphorus for root growth, and potassium for general plant well being. Keep away from extreme nitrogen, as it might result in giant greens however small roots.
3. Can I develop beets from beet tops?Whilst you can regrow beet greens from the tops of harvested beets, they gained’t produce new roots. It’s finest to plant seeds or transplants for a full crop of beets.
4. How can I inform when beets are prepared to reap?Beets are usually prepared to reap when their roots are 1–2½ inches (2.5–6 cm) in diameter. Gently brush away some soil to verify their dimension. Smaller beets are sweeter and extra tender, whereas bigger ones might turn into woody if left within the floor too lengthy.
Sources & Additional Studying
These sources present detailed info on the dietary worth of beets and provide further insights into their potential well being advantages.
