Both the roots and leaves of this cool-weather vegetable are edible.
Bob Stefko
Homegrown, garden-freshbeetsare a delicious combination of sweet, rich, hearty, and earthy.
Beet varieties range from those with deep crimson roots to ones with golden yellow and candy-stripe red-and-white roots.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Plant a couple of varieties and explore the different colors and shapes.
Sow seeds 1/2 inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.
Cover the seeds with a loose layer of soil and keep the soil evenly moist.
Thinning is especially important because every beet “seed” is a cluster of several seeds.
Soil and Water
Grow beets in loose,well-drained soilwith apH between 6.0 to 6.8.
Beet plants need consistent moisture, so water deeply during hot or dry spells.
Potting and Repotting Beets
Beets are well-suited to be grown in containers.
Choose a container that is at least 12 inches tall and wide with large drainage holes.
A 12-inch container fits about 5 beet plants.
Because container plants dry out faster than garden soil and beets needs consistent moisture, ensure to water frequently.
Cercospora leaf spot is a serious fungal disease that causes defoliation and can potentially destroy the harvest.
In hot, dry weather, the roots become tough.
Harvesting
Beets are harvestedat different stages of their growth.
The roots are ready to harvest when they are 1 to 112 inches in diameter.
These petite beets are often called baby beets.
Mature beets average 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Beet greens are especially delicious when they’re young and tender.
Treat mature beet greens like chard when cooking.
Harvest beets before the ground freezes in the fall.
Types of Beets
Beet types include many heirloom varieties which often go back decades if not centuries.
Early Wonder
This early-maturing heirloom variety dates back to 1811.
The 2- to 3-inch beet roots have tall green tops.
The leaves are green.
60 days to maturity
Golden
Unlike red beets, golden beets do not bleed or stain.
They have a sweet, mellow flavor and taste less earthy than red beets.
Marigolds and mint also makegood companion plants for beets.
Carrots
Carrotsgrow best in cool weather, like beets.
Plus, carrots and other root vegetables improve the soil structure, which benefits other root vegetables.
It enjoys the same well-draining soil and full sun as beets prefer.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is an edible ornamental that is as pretty as it is productive.
Like beets, chard delivers the best flavor in cool weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
For spring planting, the month depends on your local climate.
Plant the beets 2 to 4 weeks before the last expected spring frost.
If you would like a fall harvest, plant them between August and September.
Soaking the seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting aids germination.
especially when the soil is still cold in the spring.
