Skip to content

The Garden Prepper

  • Edible Gardens
    • Fruits
    • Grains
    • Herbs
    • Nut Trees
    • Vegetables
  • Ornamental Gardens
    • Bulbs
    • Cacti & Succulents
    • Flowers
    • Foliage
    • Fungus & Lichen
    • Ground Cover
    • Shrubs
    • Trees
    • Vines
    • Water Plants
  • Gardening How To
  • Problems
    • Plant Diseases
    • Garden Pests
    • Weeds
  • More
    • Houseplants
    • Lawn Care
    • Special Gardens
      • Container Gardens
      • Greenhouses
    • Composting

Beets

beets

  • Botanical name: Beta vulgaris
  • Plant type: Vegetable
  • Sun exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun
  • Soil type: Sandy, Loamy
  • Soil pH: Neutral

Beets are a cool season vegetable crop. This root veggie grows quickly and has many different varieties which showcase deep red, yellow or white bulbs of different shapes. They can survive frost and almost freezing temperatures, which makes them a good choice for northern gardeners and an excellent long-season crop.

Planting

  • A soil pH above 5.5–6 is best, otherwise growth will be stunted. Beets are a good indicator of soil pH.
  • Till in aged manure before planting. Beets require especially good nutrition and a high phosphorus level to germinate. Go easy on nitrogen however, an excess will cause sprawling greens and tiny bulbs beneath the soil.
  • Wait until soil reaches 50 degrees before planting.
  • Plant seeds ½ inch deep and 1-2 inches apart.
  • Make sure soil remains moist for germination.
  • In zones with low moisture and rainfall, soak the seeds for 24 hours before planting.
  • Early crop can be planted in March/April, and late crop anytime from June to September. Successive plantings are also possible as long as the weather doesn’t exceed 75 degrees F. Space plantings about 20 days apart.
  • Winter crops are a definite possibility in Zone 9 and above.

Care

  • Thinning is necessary, as you may get more than one seedling out of each seed. Thin when they read about 2 inches high by pinching them off. Pulling them out of the ground may disturb the close surrounding roots of nearby seedlings.
  • Established plants should be thinned to 3–4 inches between plants.
  • Mulch and water well. Beets need to maintain plenty of moisture.
  • Any necessary cultivation should be gentle, beets have shallow roots that are easily disturbed.

Pests

  • Flea Beetles
  • Leaf Hoppers
  • Mexican Bean Beetles

Harvest/Storage

  • Days to maturity tend to be between 50 and 70 for most varieties, although they can be harvested at any time you see fit. If you like larger bulbs, wait longer, but understand they will be tougher and woody.
  • Don’t let greens grow above 6 inches before harvesting.
  • Don’t forget about the tops! Beet greens have a delicious and distinctive flavor, and hold more nutrition than the roots.
  • Fresh beets can be stored in the refrigerator for 5–7 days. Clipping the tops off beets will keep them fresher for longer. Leave about one inch of stem on each beet, and store the greens separately.
  • For root cellar type storage, make sure you brush off any soil clinging to these crops, then store them in a cool, dry place. An unheated closet might do, or put them in a cooler in your basement.
  • Beets can be frozen, canned and pickled.

Recommended Varieties

  • ‘Detriot Dark Red’ Sturdy, traditional red variety, round.
  • ‘Formanova’ Long, cylindrical beets that grow in the same fashion as carrots. Excellent for canning.

Recipes

  • Roasted Beets and Arugula
  • Grandmother Lida Quinn’s Pickled Beets
  • Beets and Beet Greens in Cream

Wit & Wisdom

Use beets or cranberries to make your own pink Easter egg dye.

Growing beets in the garden is done for both the delicious red root and the young greens. Learn how to grow beets and get additional tips on beet root care in the following articles. You’ll also find information about different types of beets and treating common problems.

Why Are My Red Beets White Inside?

September 29, 2022July 23, 2021 by Taylor Costa
why are my red beets white inside

Beets are such a popular plant to grow, and not just because they are easy and simple to grow for beginners! This is because beets are nutritious sources of vitamins … Read more

Categories Beets

My Beets Sprouted but Not Growing: The Reasons Why!

September 29, 2022July 22, 2021 by Taylor Costa
beets sprouted but not growing

Beets are cool-season root crops that are easy and simple to grow from USDA zones 2 to 10. However, if you don’t remember or overlook the cultivation basics, then it … Read more

Categories Beets

Can You Replant Thinned Beets? The Answers Revealed!

September 28, 2022August 26, 2020 by Taylor Costa
can you replant thinned beets

Beet is one of those cool season root-vegetables which frequent many kitchen gardens because of how easy it is to plant. It’s also versatile both in planting and eating. However, … Read more

Categories Beets

7 Quick Tips on How To Tell If Beets Are Ripe

September 28, 2022August 4, 2020 by Taylor Costa
how to tell if beets are ripe

Not quite sure how to tell if beets are ripe? This is a common issue when harvesting beets. Some people can’t easily determine whether the beets they harvest are ripe … Read more

Categories Beets

Recent Posts

  • Advanced Seed Starting Methods for Hard-to-Grow Plants
  • Why Artificial Grass Burbank is the low-maintenance solution busy homeowners love
  • How the Latest Agricultural News Can Help Farmers Make Informed Decisions
  • The Environmental Benefits of Using a Professional Mosquito Exterminator
  • Eco-Friendly Disposal: Sorting Waste in Your Dumpster Rental
  • The Environmental Benefits of Upgrading Your Water Pump
  • 10 Essential Tasks for Lush and Healthy Garden Plants

Recent Comments

  1. Adrienne K on What Can You Do With Basil Flowers?
  2. Bill Dix on 3 Causes of White Spots On Green Bean Leaves & How to Control Them
  3. Helen on Cucumber Plants Dying from Bottom Up? Here’s Why It Happens and What to Do
  4. Dana Kuykendall on 5 Weeds That Look Like Dill: Tips To Distinguish
  5. Robin on Easy & Simple Steps on How to Prune Raspberries in the Spring

Topics

Pages

  • About
  • Additional Links
  • Contact
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Sitemap
  • Write for Us – Guest Post

Amazon Associates Program

Thegardenprepper.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com DMCA.com Protection Status

Follow Us on Social

follow us on Google News
© 2025 The Garden Prepper · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclosure