A Comprehensive Guide to Growing, Harvesting, and Using Beets
Beets are vibrant, nutritious, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, learning to grow perfect beets can be a rewarding experience. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure your beet crop thrives—no matter your gardening expertise.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Beets
Beets thrive in sunny spots with moist yet well-drained soil. To promote healthy growth, improve soil fertility by adding organic matter, like compost or well-rotted manure, about 2 cm deep before planting. This enriches the soil, improves its structure, and helps retain moisture—essential for beet growth—without causing root rot.
Choosing Beet Varieties
Beets are available in various colors and flavors, from the traditional red to golden and Chioggia varieties, which have striking concentric rings. To avoid tough, inedible roots, opt for bolt-resistant varieties like ‘Boltardy.’ Early-season beets can bolt, making them less desirable, but with careful planning, you can harvest tender, flavorful roots every time.
Sowing Beets from Seed
You have two options for sowing beets: direct sowing or starting seeds in plug trays. Direct sowing is the quicker method, but sowing in trays allows for an earlier start, especially in cooler climates. Plant beet seeds (which are seed capsules containing multiple seeds) about 1 cm deep, spacing them 5 cm apart along rows that are 30 cm apart.
If sowing in plug trays, fill each plug with potting mix, firm it down, and create dimples for the seeds. Water them well, and the seedlings should appear within a week or so. Thin them to prevent overcrowding, leaving the strongest ones.
Planting Beets
After a month, your seedlings should be ready for transplanting. Gently remove them from their plugs and plant them 20-25 cm apart. Beets grow best in clusters and don’t require much space between them. Thin the seedlings to give them room to develop into full-size roots. You can harvest baby beets by thinning or leave some to grow to full size.
Protecting Beets from Pests
Two common pests can harm your beet crop: birds and beet leaf miners. Birds may peck at young seedlings, but this can be easily prevented with mesh or netting. Leaf miners create tunnels in beet leaves, hindering growth. To combat this, remove affected leaves and crush any larvae. Alternatively, use fine insect mesh or garden fleece to protect the plants from the start.
Keeping Beets Well-Watered
Beets need consistent moisture to thrive, so regular watering is essential. To prevent the roots from becoming small, woody, or cracked, ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulch with grass clippings, straw, or shredded leaves to retain moisture and keep the soil cool in hot weather. In warmer climates, consider growing beets in the shade of taller crops like beans or use shade cloth to maintain soil moisture.
Harvesting Beets
Beets can be harvested at any stage, from tender baby beets to larger, fully developed roots. For baby beets, harvest when the roots are slightly smaller than a golf ball. Gently lift the roots from the soil, twisting the plant at the base of the foliage. Beets grown in clusters allow for easy harvesting—simply pull the largest root from each cluster and leave the others to grow. If beets grow too large (over the size of a tennis ball), they may become tough and woody, so harvest them before they reach that point.
Using Beets and Beet Leaves
Both beet roots and leaves are edible and offer a wealth of culinary possibilities. Beet leaves can be used like chard or spinach—stir-fry, steam, or add to smoothies. The roots are incredibly versatile: roast them, bake them into cakes, puree them, or even dehydrate and grind them into a nutritious powder. Beets are packed with antioxidants and cancer-fighting properties, making them a superfood worth incorporating into your diet.
By following these tips and practices, you’ll be able to grow beautiful, tasty beets every time. Whether you’re enjoying them fresh, roasted, or in a variety of dishes, beets offer unmatched nutritional value and flavor. Happy gardening!