Cool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Beets
Give canned versions of this fall and spring garden favorite the heave-ho and discover its true flavor and colors
Marianne Lipanovich
February 28, 2015
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects are garden-based, you might also find me writing about home projects and classical music. Away from the computer, I'm found in the garden (naturally), on my bike, or ice-skating outdoors (yes, that is possible in California). I'm also willing to taste-test anything that's chocolate.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a California-based writer and editor. While most of my projects... More
If you know only canned beets, then beets from the fall or spring garden will be a surprise. First, they come in different shapes, from round to more oblong, and an array of colors. There’s the traditional deep red, but you can also find yellow, gold, white or striped. Even the leaves and stems are colorful greens and some reds. Sauté the leaves as a green, then enjoy the roots in salads, in soups (who doesn’t know of borscht?) and as a side dish.
More: How to grow vegetables in fall and spring
More: How to grow vegetables in fall and spring
When to plant: Sow seeds in early spring to harvest beets in late spring or early summer. In mild-winter climates, you can also plant them at the end of summer and in early fall.
Days to maturity: 45 to 65
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Water requirement: Regular water
Favorites: Big Red, Bull’s Blood, Chioggia, Crosby’s Egyptian, Cylindra, Detroit Dark Red, Formanova, Golden, Gladiator, Green Top Bunching, Little Ball, Little Mini Ball, Lutz Green Leaf, Red Ace, Ruby Queen, Sangria, Sweetheart, Yellow Detroit
Days to maturity: 45 to 65
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Water requirement: Regular water
Favorites: Big Red, Bull’s Blood, Chioggia, Crosby’s Egyptian, Cylindra, Detroit Dark Red, Formanova, Golden, Gladiator, Green Top Bunching, Little Ball, Little Mini Ball, Lutz Green Leaf, Red Ace, Ruby Queen, Sangria, Sweetheart, Yellow Detroit
Planting and care: Be sure the soil drains well and is free of rocks and lumps, which can hinder root growth. Keep sowing every month through spring and fall to ensure a steady crop. Plant seeds about an inch apart and cover with a quarter inch of compost or vermiculite.
When plants are small, combine care and harvesting by thinning the plants to about 2 inches apart and eating both roots and greens. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, then continue to keep the garden well watered. Mulch will help keep the soil cool.
Pests are few, but you may attract some beetles, leafhoppers, leaf miners and wireworms. Rotating the crop will help keep problems to a minimum.
Pests are few, but you may attract some beetles, leafhoppers, leaf miners and wireworms. Rotating the crop will help keep problems to a minimum.
Harvest: After thinning, harvest beets when the top of the root is about 1 inch wide. Don’t let them get too big; about 3 inches is as large as you want. In cold-winter climates, finish all harvesting before very cold weather sets in. Or, if you want, cover the plants with about a foot or so of hay and straw to keep the ground from freezing and continue to harvest as long as the crop remains.
More: How to grow vegetables in fall and spring
More: How to grow vegetables in fall and spring
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I like growing vegetables in fall like broccoli, carrots, cauliflowers, lettuce, onions, potatoes etc.
Thanks for this article! I'm a novice gardener. In Zone 7; beets are in my 1st batch. I'm using Earthboxes. #SoExcited