How to Grow Beets

This page will focus on written and visual instructions on how to grow beets. The beet we will be growing in our Fall garden is the Moneta.

According to our Lunar Calendar, we need to plant beet seeds from September 15th to the 29th. This is for the fall season of 2009.

According to our Companion Growing page we know we can plant these with any of the Fall vegetables we are growing.

In how to grow beets, it is important to keep in mind that 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: 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.

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.

9-20-09

I planted my beets according to schedule. In my raised garden bed, I dug furrows that were about two inches deep and two inches wide.

Then I sowed my beet seeds generously in order to make sure I had enough to germinate. I will probably have to thin some later.

After planting my beet seeds, I covered them according to the instructions on the package which was 1/4 to 1/2 inch. I spread some sifted soil on the beet seeds. Then watered.

I decided to use the furrows this time to see if they would help me keep track of my seeds as well as help me water them. When the beets are about three inches high I will need to thin them to about three inches apart.

For more information visit

Growing Beets and Growing Beets from Seed.

Update: 12-19-09

This page on how to grow beets should have been completed. My beets should have been matured by now but they are not as shown below. Even in a greenhouse they have not done very well. We had a lot of rain before I got the greenhouse over them. Then we have had a lot of cloudy days and even some freezing temps.

02-04-2010

My beets did do as well as I had planned. Here are only a few that even close to being ready to harvest. I am planting some in Dot Pots and will see if they do any better.

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