Beet

Beets, also called beetroot, are grown mainly for their round roots, though the leafy tops are edible too. Roots can be red, golden, white or striped, and they can be round, flat or cylindrical. Gardening experts list beets as native to Europe and the Mediterranean and as a cool-season vegetable that tolerates heat.

Sowing. Sow beet seed directly in the ground when possible, because transplanting can disturb root development. Gardening experts suggest starting early sowings once the soil has warmed to 45°F (7°C). Maryland recommends direct seeding in early spring and late summer. Gardening experts say beets can be sown once the soil reaches 40°F (about 4 °C) and advises planting 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost.

Depth and spacing. Plant seed about ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep. Gardening experts give ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm) in its summary and ½ to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) in its planting section. Rows about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) apart work well. Each beet seed ball is really a fruit holding several seeds, so you will usually need to thin seedlings. Maryland notes that monogerm seed, with one embryo per fruit, avoids this, and otherwise thinning is needed when plants are about 2 inches (5 cm) tall.

Final spacing. Guides differ: 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 cm), 3 inches (8 cm), or 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm). Thinnings can be eaten in salads.

Germination. Guides give different germination times, from about 10 to 15 days to 7 to 14 days. Poor germination is common in dry soil where a crust forms, and a light mulch after sowing helps.

Sun and soil. Gardening experts say beets need full sun and will not make good roots in partial shade. Gardening experts say beets can grow in full sun to partial shade, though they take longer to mature. Beets prefer fertile, well-drained, deep soil rich in organic matter, and heavy soils need plenty of compost.

Containers. Gardening experts say beets can be grown in pots at least 2 quarts (about 1.9 L) in volume and 8 inches (about 20 cm) deep.

Frost. Beets are semi-hardy. They can take light frosts but not heavy frosts or freezing, and the roots tolerate cold better than the tops.

Watering. Keep the soil uniformly moist for best growth. Moisture swings can cause root cracking and low yields. Mulch around the plants helps hold soil moisture.

Weeding. Beets compete poorly with weeds, so control weeds early, by hand and with a mulch along the row. Avoid deep cultivation, which can damage the roots. Weeding and weekly watering in dry weather are the main chores after thinning.

Feeding. Gardening experts say little or no fertilizer is needed in fertile soil. Gardening experts suggest a nitrogen fertilizer about 6 weeks after emergence. Gardening experts recommend basing fertilizer and lime on a soil test and liming to a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 for root crops. Beets need enough boron, and black, sunken spots in the root can signal low boron.

Pests and disease. Gardening experts list no significant problems for this plant. Late planting causes the most frequent problems. Aphids, leafminers, flea beetles and webworms are the common pests. Cercospora leaf spot is the most common disease. Yellows, carried by leafhoppers, has no known control.

Roots. Maryland says to pull beetroots when they are 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) across. Gardening experts suggest 1½ to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) and warns that larger roots may be woody. Gardening experts say roots over 3 inches (7.6 cm) are often tough and fibrous. Harvest timing differs too: gardening experts say 60 to 80 days from seeding, while gardening experts say 50 to 70 days after planting.

Greens. Leaves can be picked once the root is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across, and up to a third of the foliage can be taken without harming the root. Use the greens within a few days, since they do not store well.

Storing roots. Trim the foliage to within ½ to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) of the roots. Maryland recommends storing roots at 32 °F (0 °C) and 95% humidity. Gardening experts give 2 to 4 months under the same conditions, and gardening experts say 3 to 4 months at 32 to 35 °F (0 to 2 °C) in a humid place. In the refrigerator, store roots in a vented plastic bag.