How to Grow Beets
I love to grow beets! For pristine leaves and roots, cover them with either floating row cover or agricultural insect netting. Why? That’ll keep damaging leafminers away.
Latin Name: Beta vulgaris
Plant Family: Beet (Amaranthaceae)
Cool-season Crop
Did You Know?
Beets have been cultivated for their greens since ancient times. But their roots weren’t harvested for food until the mid-1600s. Both the leaves and roots are high in anti-oxidants, making them a healthful addition to one’s diet.
Plant Seeds or Seedlings? Sow seeds directly in the garden.
When: Early spring through summer.
Days to Germination: 5 to 14 days
Depth to Sow: 1/2 inch
Spacing: 3 to 4 inches apart between plants, 8 to 12 inches between rows.
Days to Maturity: 55
Cultural Information:
Beets are extremely easy to grow. While preparing seed bed, work a small amount of bone meal or other organic source of phosphorus into the top 2 inches of soil. This will help the roots grow well.
The seeds are unusual in that there are multiple seeds clustered together. Don’t worry about trying to separate them. You can sow beet seeds 1 inch apart and thin the seedlings later to 3 to 4 inches apart. Or you can sow the seeds at a 3 to 4 inch spacing right at the start. It’s also possible to start the plants indoors first, then carefully transplant them into the garden at the correct spacing. I find sowing seeds directly in the garden to be the easiest.
If leafminers are prevalent in your location, there’s a special step you’ll want to take. Cover the bed with floating row cover or agricultural insect netting as soon as you’ve sown seeds (see above photo). It will act as a physical barrier to keep the adult leafminer flies away. Talk about an easy solution! The plants do not require pollination so the bed can remain covered for the entire season. Remove weeds occasionally as they will compete with the beets for nutrients and moisture.
Susan’s Picks: ‘Bull’s Blood’, ‘Chioggia’, ‘Cylindra’, ‘Golden’, ‘Red Ace’
Potential Insect Problems: Leafminers, slugs
When to Harvest:
Beets can be harvested any time after the roots reach an inch in diameter. Remember to harvest and use the beet greens as well since they are both nutritious and delicious.
How to Cook & Preserve:
One of the best ways to cook beets is by roasting them in the oven. Then add slices or cubes to salads. To store beet roots, place them within a bin of moistened straw or sand. Put the bin in a cool, dark location. Beet greens can be steamed for a side dish or frozen in freezer bags for later use.
Copyright: Susan Mulvihill, Susan’s in the Garden, SusansintheGarden.com