Beets are often overlooked as a winter crop, but they’re actually one of the easiest vegetables to grow during this time. As long as your soil temperature remains above 40°F, you can enjoy a continuous harvest of fresh beets year-round. What’s more, beets thrive in cooler temperatures, making them an ideal choice for those who want to extend their growing season.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we’ll show you how to cultivate this super-healthy vegetable regardless of the time of year.
Growing Beets Plant Info
When cultivating beets, it’s essential to consider the hardiness zones, which span from 2 to 10. The ideal soil conditions for beet growth include a sandy or loamy texture with a pH level ranging between 6 and 7. To prepare the soil, add 2 to 3 inches of well-rotted compost manure before planting. Beets require full sun exposure and can be directly sown in the garden when temperatures reach at least 40°F.
For optimal results, sow seeds 14 to 28 days prior to the first frost date for the earliest harvests, and 74 to 104 days beforehand for later harvests. Space beet plants 3 to 4 inches apart and rows 6 inches apart, with a seed depth of approximately 1/2 to 1 inch. Beets grow well when paired with bush beans, head lettuce, cabbage, kale, broccoli, radish, corn, onion, cauliflower, chard, and Brussels sprouts. However, pole beans and field mustard can be detrimental companions.
To promote healthy growth, maintain average and even watering habits, applying about 1 inch of water per week, and consider adding a mulch layer to conserve soil moisture. Fertilize with a complete fertilizer during planting, followed by side dressing every two weeks.
Common challenges when growing beets include bacterial blight, scab, beet curly top disease, beet western yellow virus, Cercospora leaf spot, damping off, downy mildew, root rot, powdery mildew, beet cyst nematode, and root-knot nematodes. Leafminers and darkling beetles are also potential issues. Harvest beets after approximately 50 to 70 days of planting, when they reach a length of about 6 inches.
Beet Varieties
While beets may appear uniform at first glance, the reality is that there’s a surprising amount of diversity within this humble root vegetable. In fact, there are numerous varieties, each with its own unique characteristics. For instance, you might find sugar beets, which are prized for their sweet flavor and high sucrose content, or darker, more robust varieties featuring striking red and striped patterns.
Cylindra
Cylindra beets are a departure from the typical rounded shape of their beet counterparts. Also known as ‘Formanova’ and ‘Butter Slicer’, this Danish heirloom boasts a cylindrical appearance reminiscent of carrots. With a relatively short maturation period of 60 days, this variety is prized for its uniform slicing ability. Its unique shape allows it to grow up to 8 inches in length, making it an attractive addition to any garden or culinary endeavor.
Chioggia
With its rapid maturation period of just 55 days, this particular type of beet stands out from the crowd. This Italian heirloom variety boasts not only a speedy harvest window but also a naturally sweet flavor profile, making it a popular choice among gardeners and cooks alike.
Detroit Dark Red
While the importance of incorporating a range of colors into our diets is well-established, allowing us to naturally derive essential vitamins, there’s one particular shade that stands out for its remarkable versatility. This deep-red variety boasts impressive adaptability, thriving in diverse temperature and soil conditions. Notably, it matures in just 59 days, making it an attractive addition to any garden or culinary endeavour.
Golden
Unlike its red and yellow counterparts, the golden beet’s unique characteristic is its vibrant gold color, which gives it its name. What’s more, this variety matures quickly, taking only 55 days to reach harvest readiness. While its golden hue may be a departure from the typical red or orange tones of other beets, its flavor profile remains remarkably similar. Another advantage of golden beets is their lack of bleeding, eliminating the risk of staining.
Furthermore, the leaves of this variety are particularly prized for their delectable taste and can be used in a variety of culinary applications.
Lutz Green Leaf
One of the distinguishing features of this beet variety is its impressive growth potential. In fact, it can reach sizes that are four times larger than those typically seen in other beets. But what’s equally important to note is that this extraordinary size only comes with a sweet flavor if harvested at an early stage. As a result, growers need to plan accordingly and allow for 80 days from planting to harvesting.
Mangold
Mangelwurzel, also referred to as the humble root vegetable, boasts a unique appearance reminiscent of a plump and inviting carrot. For those eager to cultivate this understated gem, we’ve prepared an informative guide on how to successfully grow these delectable roots, offering valuable insights and practical tips for optimal results.
Sugar Beets
Contrary to the rounded shape of many root vegetables, sugar beets possess a distinct conical shape, somewhat reminiscent of their turnip cousins. A notable characteristic is their white flesh, which differentiates them from other varieties that are often cooked and consumed whole. Instead, sugar beets serve as the primary source for producing sugar, making them an essential crop in the global sugar industry.
Planting Beets in the Garden
Beet cultivation is surprisingly straightforward, requiring only a handful of fundamental principles to yield a bountiful harvest. By adhering to these elementary guidelines, even the most novice gardener can successfully nurture their beet crop, ultimately reaping the rewards within a remarkably short timeframe.
Plant at the Right Time
When it comes to growing beets, timing is everything. As a cold weather crop, they require a specific soil temperature of around 40°F for optimal germination. Planting them in warm weather can lead to poor seed germination. For those living in the southern regions, beets can thrive throughout the winter months. In contrast, northerners may want to plan their beet planting for early fall or early spring, avoiding the summer heat altogether.
Pick the Right Location
When it comes to growing beets, one of the most crucial factors is providing them with the right environment. This includes giving them full sun or partial shade, as well as a loamy, loose, and well-draining soil. The ideal pH range for beet cultivation is between 6.0 and 7.0. To prepare your soil, be sure to incorporate plenty of well-rotted manure or compost before planting.
Additionally, if you’re working with clay-heavy soil, mixing in a significant amount of sand can significantly improve the texture and drainage, creating an ideal growing condition for your beets.
Direct-Sow Seeds
When cultivating beets in your garden, it’s essential to follow the correct planting procedure. Start by directly sowing the seeds into the soil, spacing them about 1-2 inches apart from one another. Once you’ve achieved this, take a moment to lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of loose soil, followed by a gentle watering session. Maintain consistent moisture levels until the seedlings emerge, which should occur within approximately 14 days.
For a continuous beet supply, consider planting new seeds every three weeks.
Start Seeds Indoors
When faced with an uncertain growing season, starting beet seeds indoors can be a viable solution. However, it’s essential to be aware that the plants might not grow as robustly when transplanted outside. To mitigate this risk, start a few extra seeds to ensure you have some healthy specimens to work with.
To get started, sow the seeds in peat pots about four weeks before you intend to transplant them into the ground.
As the seedlings develop, keep an eye out for leaves that reach approximately 2 inches in length, which will serve as a good indicator it’s time to transfer them outside.
Once the seedlings are ready, spend a week gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions through a process called hardening off. This crucial step helps your beet plants build up their tolerance to direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations.
Finally, carefully dig a small hole in the ground and gently place the seedling into its new environment.
How to Care for Beets
Attending to the needs of your beet crop is a straightforward process that can help minimize potential issues. By following these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring a healthy and thriving beet harvest.
Water Correctly
Initial care for your beet plants is crucial, particularly during the first two weeks after planting. Water them daily to ensure a strong start. As they begin to sprout and grow, reduce watering to every 10-14 days. It’s essential to maintain this schedule, as inadequate watering can lead to significant issues, such as stunted growth or even plant death. Monitor your beets’ progress closely and adjust your watering routine accordingly.
Thin the Beets Out
As the sprouts of your beets emerge, it’s crucial to thin them out, just as you would with carrots. This ensures each plant has sufficient space to grow and develop properly. Aim for about 4 inches of separation between individual plants, while rows should be spaced at least 12 inches apart. Failure to do so can lead to overcrowding, a common issue that can significantly impact the quality and yield of your beet harvest.
Fertilize and Weed
To ensure a thriving beet crop, don’t forget to provide it with the right nutrients and remove any unwanted competition. After your beets have sprouted, apply compost as a light fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Be mindful of nitrogen levels, though, as excessive amounts can hinder development. In addition to proper fertilization, keep the bed where your beets are planted free of weeds.
This will not only improve growing conditions but also help deter pests and give your beets the best chance to reach their full potential.
Common Problems With Growing Beets (And Their Solutions)
While beets may not be the most high-maintenance crop, they do come with their own set of common issues. Fortunately, these problems are often easily identifiable, correctable, and preventable – as long as you’re aware of what to look out for.
No Sprouts
Beet seedlings often struggle to emerge from the soil when planted during periods of warmth. In reality, this is due to the seeds’ inability to germinate at elevated temperatures. As a result, it’s crucial to time your beet planting to coincide with a period of cooler weather, allowing the seeds to properly sprout and develop.
Drooping Seedlings
When your newly sprouted beet seedlings develop droopy, dark, and soggy stems, it’s often a sign that you’ve planted them in cold and wet conditions. Beets thrive in well-drained soil, and when this fundamental requirement isn’t met, their growth can be significantly impaired.
Pests
Beets are vulnerable to a multitude of pests that can significantly impact their growth and yield. The sheer variety of insects and other invertebrates that feed on beets is staggering, including aphids, flea beetles, cabbage loopers, blister beetles, webworms, armyworms, grasshoppers, snails, slugs, leaf miner larvae, and grubs. When it comes to addressing these pests, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t suffice; each pest requires a tailored solution.
That being said, squashing adult insects and their eggs as soon as you spot them can be an effective way to control the population. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when doing so, as some insects can release toxins that are harmful to human skin. To prevent pests from becoming a problem in the first place, maintain a tidy garden by keeping weeds at bay and using insecticides like neem oil or Sevin.
Additionally, consider applying floating covers to your beet crop to provide an extra layer of protection.
Small Beets
When harvesting your beets, you might notice that some of them are smaller than expected. This could be due to overcrowding in the planting process. To avoid this issue, ensure that each beet is given enough space by maintaining a gap of at least four inches between individual plants. Furthermore, consider staggering the rows with 12 inches separating each row. By doing so, your beets will have ample room to grow and mature properly.
Downy Mildew
Downy mildew, a widespread issue among specific crops, arises from fungal infections. Its presence becomes evident when yellowish and brown spots start appearing on leaf surfaces. To effectively combat this problem, it’s essential to enhance air circulation within the grow area, implement crop rotation annually, and choose beet varieties that naturally resist this disease.
Red Leaves
When you step outside to inspect your beet leaves, only to find that the vibrant green hue has given way to a deep red, don’t be alarmed. A sudden and unexpected drop in temperature is often the culprit behind this colour shift. Overnight freezes can cause the leaves to turn red, but rest assured that this change won’t affect the quality or taste of your beetroot.
Cracked Roots
When inspecting your beet crop, you may encounter plants with cracked roots. This issue often arises from inadequate watering. As previously discussed, proper watering is crucial for the development of healthy beets. The cracking of roots can be attributed to a lack of sufficient moisture, highlighting the significance of this factor in beet cultivation.
Woody Roots
My first year growing beets, I was caught off guard by how quickly they matured. As a result, I put off harvesting them for far too long. When I finally did harvest them, I was disappointed to find that the roots had developed woody texture and lacked flavor. This was likely due to the fact that the beets were past their prime. If you’re experiencing this issue, it’s possible that your beets have been left in the ground for an extended period of time.
White Rings on Roots
When examining your beets, you may have noticed white rings forming on their roots. A closer look often reveals a connection between these rings and external weather conditions. Typically, an unseasonable hot spell followed by an abundance of rainfall, or conversely, a prolonged drought preceding harvest, can induce the development of these characteristic rings. The underlying cause lies in the way these environmental fluctuations affect the beets’ growth patterns.
Best and Worst Companion Plants for Beets
Companion planting is an age-old technique where two or more plants are grown together to create a symbiotic relationship. In the case of beets, having certain plants nearby can have a profound impact on their growth and development. Beets benefit greatly from the company of legumes such as bush beans, butter beans, soybeans, which are all known to fix nitrogen in the soil, providing a boost to the beets without causing any harm.
Additionally, brassicas like cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, as well as kohlrabi, can also thrive alongside beets, creating a harmonious coexistence. The aromatic properties of garlic and mint are also valuable assets in repelling pests that might otherwise target the beets. On the other hand, certain plants should be avoided when growing beets, including pole beans and field mustards, which can have detrimental effects on their growth.
How to Harvest and Store Beets
Harvesting beets typically takes around 7-8 weeks after planting. As you approach the desired size for your specific variety (some can grow quite large but sacrifice flavor in the process), it’s time to carefully dig them up using a garden fork.
When bringing them indoors, take care not to cut their tops off, as this can cause them to bleed and lose some of their natural color and taste. Instead, twist them gently to preserve their integrity.
Now that you have your beets in hand, it’s time to store them properly. Start by lining a wooden box with a layer of straw or sand at the bottom. Add your beets, followed by another layer of straw, repeating this process until the box is full. Alternatively, wrap individual beets in brown paper for added protection.
Finally, find a cool, dry spot to store your beet harvest, such as a hall closet, basement corner, or root cellar.
These areas provide optimal conditions for keeping your beets fresh and flavorful.
How to Use Your Beet Harvest
Whether you’re a beet enthusiast or just looking for new ways to utilize your harvest, these simple recipes showcase the versatility and flavor of beets. From sweet treats to savory dishes, there’s something for everyone.
Beet Brownies
When it comes to utilizing a beet harvest, I’m particularly fond of incorporating chocolate into the process. Not only does it result in a delectable treat, but it also cleverly masks the earthy flavor of beets. It’s a clever and indulgent way to get your daily dose of veggies.
Beet Chips
As a self-proclaimed lover of veggie chips, I’ve found a way to indulge in my cravings without the weight of guilt. It’s precisely this freedom that makes me appreciate the ingenuity behind this beet chip recipe. The more I experiment with different flavors and ingredients, the more I realize the vast possibilities available in the world of plant-based snacking.
Beet Hummus
For beet enthusiasts, incorporating your harvest into a hummus recipe is an innovative approach. This dip not only pairs well with crispy beet chips but also offers a tasty and healthier alternative to traditional sandwich spreads by replacing mayonnaise. If you’re excited about the idea of utilizing beets to create nutritious condiments, give this recipe a try.
Pickled Beets
A culinary showstopper awaits! The anticipation is palpable as we eagerly await the harvest of our beet plantings – and it’s all thanks to this exceptional recipe. For those unfamiliar with the delight that is pickled beets, consider yourselves warned: you’ll either become fast fans or develop a strong dislike for these tangy treats. Within my household, however, they’re an unqualified hit, generating excitement and enthusiasm among family members.
If you’re ready to experience the thrill of this flavorful fusion, let’s dive in and discover why this recipe has earned its special place in our hearts – and stomachs.
Roast Beet Salad
While I have a soft spot for both salads and soups, I’m thrilled to share with you my passion for creating innovative and flavorful salad combinations. Whether it’s incorporating unexpected ingredients or experimenting with new textures, I love pushing the boundaries of what makes a great salad. And that’s exactly what this recipe is all about – showcasing a fresh take on an old favorite that’s sure to elevate your next meal.
