Learn the complete process from planting to harvest to grow great tasting beets.
With today’s abundance of fresh produce varieties, it’s tough to narrow down the choices. But if you’re looking for one seasonal crop with loads of nutrition and versatility, look no further than beets. Whether you’re a gardening novice or a seasoned expert, this guide will help you learn how to successfully plant and care for your beets all year around.
Beets are known for their sweet flavor and juicy texture, so learning the best way to plant them can make them an even tastier addition to your garden. We’ll go over optimum planting conditions and soil types that give superior yields and nutrition benefits from this root vegetable staple. We’ll also look at when the best time of year is to add these vegetables into your garden beds as well as basic maintenance tips that ensure ideal results time after time.
And don’t worry–we’ll cover harvesting tips too. Discovering when is the perfect moment to pull up those roots makes sure they won’t become woody or lose flavor. We’d hate for that–after all, without great taste there’s not much reason to get started in growing beets in the first place.
What Is The Secret To Growing Beets?
Growing beets is not as difficult as it may seem, and with the right knowledge, anyone can have a successful harvest. The first step to growing beets is to find the right place for them. Beets prefer full sun and a light, rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Early spring is the best time to start planting your first round of beets, as they thrive in moderate temperatures and require 45-65 days to reach harvest. Planting in seed trays with individual containers will give them enough room to grow their deep root systems. Beets will still produce plenty of leafy greens even in partial shade, so if you don’t have a sunny spot in your garden you can still plant them there.
Once they’re ready for harvest, you can either pull them up by the roots or cut off their greens and leave the root in the ground. Steaming is another way of preparing your beets for consumption; this involves heating water until it turns into superheated vapor which helps preserve all its nutrients without sacrificing any flavor or texture. Additionally, steaming also helps bring out their natural sweetness without adding any extra sugar or salt.
When it comes time for harvesting your beets, make sure you do so carefully by using gloves and taking extra precaution not to damage their delicate skin. Once harvested, store them immediately in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate them if necessary; this will help keep them fresh longer while preserving all their nutrients and flavor profile intact. Lastly, make sure you wash off any dirt from the outside before consuming or cooking with your freshly picked beets – this will ensure that no bacteria gets transferred onto your food.
What Is The Best Way To Plant Beets?
The best way to plant beets is to start with a sunny position and well-draining, fertile soil. The soil should be amended with compost and nitrogen for optimal growth. Beets prefer full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. A light, rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal for successful beet growth. Rocks, clay, weeds or any other debris that can interfere with root development should be removed before planting.
Beet seeds should be planted directly in the garden about 1-2 inches apart and covered lightly with loose soil after planting. It is important to keep the seeds moist until they sprout which usually happens within 14 days of planting. Beets should then be planted 2-4 inches apart in rows that are at least 12 inches apart and watered regularly throughout their growing season, especially during dry periods. Mulching with straw or grass clippings can help retain moisture in the soil and reduce weeds as well as protect the roots from extreme temperatures.
Beets are generally ready for harvesting about two months after planting so it is important to plan when you want your crop ready accordingly by making successive plantings every 2 to 3 weeks until mid-summer if daytime temperatures don’t exceed 75°F (24°C). Each beet “seed” actually contains up to 6 seeds so it is important not to overcrowd them when planting as this will affect their growth potential; pre-soak seeds before planting them 1 inch deep and 2-4 inches apart and thin seedlings when they reach 2-3 inches tall either by transplanting extra seedlings or using them as greens in salads instead of discarding them completely. Planting seeds every few weeks will ensure a continuous crop throughout the growing season if desired.
How Do You Care For Beet Plants?
Caring for beet plants is an important part of ensuring a successful harvest. Beets prefer to grow in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days, though they can tolerate some light shade. A light, rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH is best. Rocks, clay, weeds and anything else that can interfere with root development should be removed before planting. It’s also important to test the soil for nutrients as deficiencies in boron are difficult to amend later on.
Beets need plenty of water while they are still seeds in the soil; however it’s important not to overwater them once they have sprouted as this can cause root rot and other diseases. In addition, a light covering of fine netting or cheesecloth may be necessary to protect them from adult flies. Careful weeding is also essential when beets are young as competitive species can easily crowd them out and reduce their growth potential.
The ideal time for planting depends on your local climate conditions; in cooler areas plant beets about one month before the last spring frost when soil temperatures reach at least 50°F whereas in hot-summer climates like the low desert of Arizona you should wait until late summer from June to September when temperatures start cooling off again. Beets tolerate a little frost and near-freezing temperatures so make sure any debris or weeds are removed well in advance so that the taste of the beetroots and greens remain pure as possible. As for pH levels these should range between 6–7 which is neutral to just barely acidic; water at the base of each plant and keep plants thinned out so that air circulation remains optimal throughout their growth period. Finally handpick any infested leaves you spot as this will help prevent leaf miners from spreading across your crop further down the line.
How Do I Know When My Beets Are Ready To Harvest?
Harvesting beets is an important part of gardening, as it allows you to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Knowing when your beets are ready to harvest can be tricky, but there are a few tell-tale signs that will help you determine when they’re ready. Firstly, the above “shoulders” should look full sized and the roots should be fully rounded out. You can check this by gently moving the soil away from the shoulders of the roots to check their diameter. Beets are generally ready for harvesting about two months after planting, so if you have been keeping track of when you planted them, this should give you an indication of when they will be ready for harvest.
When it comes time to actually harvest your beets, use a garden fork to lift them out of the ground gently. The best way to ensure that your beetroots remain intact is by lifting them up from underneath rather than pulling them out from above. Once harvested, they can be stored in either the refrigerator or freezer: in the fridge they will last up to two weeks and in the freezer up to six months.
There are many different varieties of beetroots available for planting; some common ones include sugar beets and dark red or striped ones. When planting these varieties it is important that each seed is placed at least one inch away from each other and rows should also remain four inches apart from each other; this allows enough room for growth and ensures that none of them become overcrowded or stunted in their development process. After 50-70 days have passed since planting (or once they reach 6 inches long), it’s time to start harvesting. Beet greens can also be eaten raw or cooked once they reach 3-4 inches tall; however these greens tend to taste best before reaching 6 inches tall so make sure not to wait too long before harvesting.
In conclusion, knowing when your beets are ready for harvest requires careful observation and attention throughout their growing process; however with a little bit of patience and knowledge on how long it takes for different varieties of beetroots develop fully, you’ll soon find yourself enjoying delicious homegrown produce.
Are Beet Greens And Stems Good To Eat?
Yes, beet greens and stems are good to eat. They have a mild, sweet, and slightly earthy flavor that makes them more palatable than kale for many people. The greens and stems are packed with nutrients and can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways. Beet greens can be added to salads for a nutritious boost or quick-pickled for an easy side dish. The stems can also be cooked in soups or stir-fries for added flavor and texture.
Beet greens are highly versatile and can be used as a substitute for other leafy green vegetables such as spinach or kale in recipes like sautéed dishes, soups, stews, casseroles, frittatas, quiches, and more. They can also be used as wraps for sandwiches or tacos instead of tortillas or breads. When cooked properly they have a pleasant texture that is similar to spinach but without the bitterness of kale.
Beet stems are also edible but may require some extra preparation before eating them raw due to their tough texture. To make them easier to chew they should be blanched first by boiling them in water briefly until they become tender; this will make them easier to digest as well as reduce their bitter taste if present. If you prefer not to blanch the stems before eating them raw then it’s best to finely chop them up into small pieces so they’re easier to chew on without having too much fibrous material left behind in your mouth afterwards.
Cooking beet stems is another great way of preparing them; they can either be boiled until tender like the leaves or roasted with other root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots which will give them an even sweeter flavor profile than when eaten raw. Beet stems are also great additions to soups and stews where their unique sweetness will add an extra layer of flavor that you won’t get from other ingredients alone; just remember not to overcook the stem pieces so that you don’t end up with mushy bits instead.