Both the roots and foliage of this coolheaded - weather condition veggie are eatable .
Bob Stefko
Homegrown , garden - freshbeetsare a luscious combination of scented , rich , hearty , and gross . This is a coolheaded - time of year veggie that you could constitute twice a twelvemonth , once in the saltation and again in late summer for a pin harvest . Both the leaves and the heavy ancestor of beetroot are edible , which make this veggie exceptionally productive for lowly space , such as raised beds , and also for container horticulture .
Credit:Bob Stefko
Beet varieties range from those with deep crimson roots to I with prosperous yellow-bellied and candy - stripe violent - and - white roots . engraft a couple of varieties and explore the different color and shapes .
Where to Plant Beets
Plant beets in a location with fond tofull sunand deep , well - draining , slimly acidulent to neutral dirt that is free of large rocks .
How and When to Plant Beets
Plant beet seeds directly in the garden in early spring , 2 to 4 week before theaverage last frost engagement for your area , and again in mid- to late August ( or September in warm clime ) for a declension harvest . Sow seeds 1/2 column inch deep and 1 inch apart in row 12 to 18 inches apart . Cover the seeds with a unaffixed layer of territory and keep the soil evenly moist .
When the seedlings are 3 to 4 inches tall , slim down them to abide 3 to 4 inches apart ( salvage the thin - out plants to practice in salad ) . Thinning is especially important because every common beet " seeded player " is a cluster of several seed . If seedling are not thinned , the young etymon wo n’t have infinite to grow and will be stunt from overcrowding .
Beets Care Tips
beetroot are an easy vegetable to grow as long as their basic requirements are run into .
Light
common beet originate best when they find at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day .
Soil and Water
raise beet in loose , well - drained soilwith apH between 6.0 to 6.8 . If your soil is clay or boggy , plant beets in raised bed or large containers filled with quality topsoil .
Beet plant need consistent wet , so water profoundly during red-hot or juiceless spells .
Temperature and Humidity
Beets do well in nerveless spring or twilight temperatures and the mature plants tolerate light Robert Lee Frost in the fall . They do badly in temperatures above 85 degree F.
Fertilizer
Apply acomplete , irksome - spill constitutional vegetable fertilizer6 weeks after the seedlings come out .
Pruning
There is no need to lop beets but thinning the seedlings when the crest are 3 to 4 inches tall is crucial to give the solution room to originate .
Potting and Repotting Beets
Beets are well - suited to be grown in container . Choose a container that is at least 12 inch grandiloquent and broad with bombastic drain holes . A 12 - column inch container fits about 5 common beet plants .
Because container plant dry out out faster than garden soil and beets needs consistent moisture , make certain to irrigate frequently .
Pests and Problems
A coarse pest of beets isflea mallet , which chew small kettle of fish in the leaves . Cercospora leaf spot is a serious fungal disease that cause defoliation and can potentially destroy the harvest time .
In raging , dry weather , the roots become tough .
How to Propagate Beets
Beets are propagated from seeds ( seeHow and When to Plant Beets , above ) . garner ejaculate from your works can be take exception , as beets only flower in their second year and they are typically grown as an annual .
Harvesting
Beets are harvestedat dissimilar stage of their increment . The antecedent are ready to reap when they are 1 to 1½ inches in diameter . These petite beets are often called baby beets . ripe beets average 3 to 4 column inch in diameter .
Beta vulgaris greens are particularly delicious when they ’re young and tender . cover mature common beet greens like chard when cooking .
harvesting beet before the ground freezes in the fall .
Types of Beets
Beet type include many heirloom varieties which often go back ten if not centuries .
‘Early Wonder’
This early - get on heirloom salmagundi dates back to 1811 . The 2- to 3 - in Beta vulgaris roots have tall green tops . 50 day to maturity
‘Chioggia’
Also call Candystripe Beet or Bull ’s Eye Beet , the inside of this Italian heirloom beetroot has tack concentric white and scarlet ring . The leave are green . 54 days to maturity
‘Bull’s Blood’
The sorry purple foliation makes this variety show a favorite for greens but the cherry-red beets are also delectable when harvested young . 35 sidereal day to maturity for parting and 40 to 52 days to maturity for beet
‘Detroit Dark Red’
A versatile beetroot that was introduced in 1892 , the pear-shaped theme are 3 in in diameter , sore , sweetened , and exquisitely - grain , with tall pinnacle . 60 daylight to adulthood
‘Golden’
Unlike red beet , golden beet do not run or stain . They have a sweet , mellow flavor and try out less vulgar than red beets . 45 days to maturity
‘Boldor’
These uniform round prosperous beets with yellow stems and light gullible whirligig keep their colouration when cook . 51 days to maturity
Companion Plants for Beets
Pair beet with othercool - weather plantssuch as spinach , Brassica oleracea italica , cauliflower , radishes , bush beans , lettuce , onion , and garlic .
Marigolds and mint also makegood fellow traveler plants for beets .
Carrots
Carrotsgrow well in nerveless atmospheric condition , like beets . Plus , carrot and other root word veggie improve the soil structure , which profit other base vegetables .
Cabbage
Cabbageis a authoritative vegetable with an attractive rosette of leaf that come in a surprising array of colors and textures . It enjoys the same well - enfeeble soil and full sun as beets prefer .
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is an edible ornamental that is as pretty as it is productive . Its large leaves are used like spinach , and its colorful edible leaf stalks add up erect involvement to the garden . Like beet , chard delivers the best flavor in coolheaded weather .
Frequently Asked Questions
For outflow planting , the calendar month depends on your local climate . Plant the beet 2 to 4 weeks before the last expected spring Robert Frost . If you would like a fall harvest , plant them between August and September .
soak the seed in warm water for 24 hr before institute aids germination . especially when the grime is still cold in the give .
update by Nadia Hassani
