Growing Beets in Flats

Growing beets in flats is not my recommended way to start off beets, especially here in San Antonio. Since beets are a cold weather plant and can function for several weeks with temperatures below fifty degrees, it is much easier to just plant the seeds in the ground.

In my humble opinion, growing beets in flats need a good eight inches of unpacked soil, starting them in flats is not a good idea. Transplanting them could damage the roots.

If you have followed my site, then you know that I am not good at starting seeds in flats. I prefer to just plant them in the ground as seeds.

If you do want to get an early start, then try starting them as container plants. Get a container that is about twenty inches wide, and put it on some sort of trolley so you can move it.

When it is warm outside you can move your container out there.

Growing beet crops mature quickly in light or loamy soils with a pH over 6.0. In general, cool temperatures produce the best flesh color. Acute weather fluctuations will cause "zoning," white rings, in the roots.

Transplant: For growing beets in flats, sow seeds indoors in early spring, about 5-6 weeks before transplanting out after heavy frosts become infrequent. Sow seeds 1/4" deep, 3-4 seeds per inch. Transplant out 3" apart in rows 12-18" apart.

Direct Seeding: Begin early sowings when soil has warmed somewhat after thawing. Sow in a 2-4" wide band, about 15 seeds/ft. (10/ft. if sown in single line), 1/2" deep, rows 12-18" apart. Thinning is not necessary.

For a continuous supply of greens and small tender beets, sow seed at 2-week intervals until 8 weeks before regular heavy frosts are expected. DISEASES:

Keep your growing beet crop well irrigated to prevent "scab," the same disorder that affects potatoes, causing raised brown rough spots on the mature roots. Internal breakdown or browning is most likely to occur in alkaline soils after prolonged hot, dry periods. This is caused by a deficiency of the nutrient boron. Rotate crops to prevent Cercospora leaf spot.

HARVEST And STORAGE: Fork or undermine, lift plants, wash and hydrocool, and store bunches 10 days at 32°F (0°C) and 95% humidity.

WINTER STORAGE OF ROOTS: Sow about 10 weeks before heavy freeze is expected. Cut tops, wash, and store 6 months at 32°F (0°C) and 95% humidity. DAYS TO MATURITY: 48 From direct seeding; subtract 14-21 days if transplants are used. For seeds, OG means "organically grown" and signifies seeds harvested from plants grown organically, without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and according to National Organic Program standards.

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