Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
QUICK TIPS FOR GROWING BEETS
FAMILY
NAME
Chenopodiaceae (goosefoot family).
EDIBLE
PARTS
Roots and tops.
LOCATION
Sunny, open area.
BEST SOIL
Fertile, well-drained soil, clean bed; pH 6.0-6.8.
WHEN TO
PLANT
Sow April to mid-July for a continuous harvest.
HOW TO
PLANT
Sow seeds ⁄ -inch deep and 1 inch apart in rows spaced 16 to 24
1
inches apart. Keep the soil moist until seeds have germinated;
this can take from 14 to 21 days. Once seedlings are a couple of
inches high, thin them so there is only 1 plant for every 3 inches
of soil.
2
HOW MUCH
TO PLANT
10 to 20 feet per person.
WEEDING
Keep well weeded, especially when plants are small.
WATERING
The soil needs to be kept moist when seeds are first planted.
Once plants have sprouted, water regularly. If you are using an
overhead sprinkler, make sure you leave it on long enough for
the water to penetrate several inches to reach the roots.
FERTILIZING
Dig in compost or aged animal manure and a balanced fertilizer
when preparing the beds.
PESTS AND
DISEASES
Leaf miners, beet webworms, flea beetles, wireworms, and leaf
spot can affect your beet plants.
WHEN TO
HARVEST
Beets mature in 45 to 65 days. You can start cutting the young
leaves for salad when they are about 3 inches high. Start
harvesting the roots once they reach the size of a golf ball.
Harvest all your beets before the first frost in the fall.
HOW TO
HARVEST
Cut the leaves individually or harvest the whole plant by gently
tugging it from the ground. Larger beets may require a garden
fork to gently loosen the surrounding soil before pulling.
STORAGE
To store, cut off the greens, leaving 2 to 3 inches of stem. The
greens can be stored separately for up to a week in a plastic bag
in the refrigerator. The roots can be placed in a plastic bag and
will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. If you have a large
amount to store, they can be packed in a box filled with peat
moss and stored in a root cellar.
