Use these simple beet harvesting tips to pick the most flavorful roots and greens every time.
Fast-growing and cold-hardy beets are some of the easiest crops for beginning gardeners to grow.
Carson Downing
When Are Beets Ready to Harvest?
Credit:Carson Downing
Beets arecool-season cropsthat are usually grown in spring and autumn gardens.
In climates where the ground doesnt freeze, they can even be grown in winter.
After seeding, beet roots are usually ready to harvest in about 50 to 70 days.
However, beets grow at different rates, depending on the weather and other factors.
Beets should be harvested before the ground freezes solid.
Beet greens are used in salads, sautes, and more.
When harvesting beet greens, always leave some leaves attached so the roots continue to grow.
Harvest as baby leaves for salads or let them grow to full size for cooking.
However, there are two ways to determine if your beets are big enough.
Then, examine the beet greens closely.
If the beet greens are large and lush, the roots are likely filling out nicely.
Leaving short stalks on the beets helps the roots last longer and prevents them from bleeding during storage.
Fresh beet greens will last in your fridge for about three to five days.
Eat them fresh or cook them inany dish where youd normally use kaleorspinach.
For longer storage,pickleor can the beets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes.
One of the most common reasons why beet plants grow leaves instead of roots is overfertilization.
Keeping your beets well-watered and following proper spacing recommendations will also help grow a more impressive beet harvest.
