Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
BEETS
Beta vulgaris
ssp.
vulgaris
convar.
vulgaris
var.
vulgaris
The species
Beta vulgaris
is another fascinating example of the diversity that people have teased out of
one original form. Not only beets but also Swiss chard, mangelwurzel, and sugar beet (which is itself a
cross of mangelwurzel and the white Silesian fodder beet) are all derived from it. People found differ-
ent parts of the plant useful and bred for improvement in those parts. Fodder and sugar beets are
propagated in the same way as common beets.
Beet seeds
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 10 healthy plants
• overwintering strategy
• four stakes and string
• row cover for isolation in second year
POLLINATION NOTES
All plants of the genus
Beta
flower inconspicuously and over a long period;
their fine-grained pollen can be carried by the wind for miles. Beets (and Swiss chard) are wind-pollin-
ated outcrossers, and beets will cross with Swiss chard, mangelwurzel, and sugar beet. Plants grown
for seed must be isolated, either mechanically (with row cover or isolation cage) or spatially: at least
1000 ft. (300 m) for diverse home gardens, over 4 miles (7 km) for commercial production.
GROWING FOR SEED
Wait until at least early summer to sow beets to grow for seed; this produces
beets of sufficient size for selection in autumn and yet helps minimize their size for storage. Early
sowing can also lead to bolting in storage. So that individual beets can develop well, take special care
with planting distances; this is also important when replanting the following spring. Direct-sown seed
must be thinned, as more than one plant can come out of each pellet. Plants that bolt the first year and
those whose form is not true-to-type (leaf shape, leaf color, etc.) should be removed.
Select at least 10 plants for seed production in autumn. This will yield far more seed than is needed
in the average home garden, but it is important to maintain genetic diversity. Store selected plants,
ideally in a root cellar at 33-40°F (0-5°C) in total darkness.
Select plants again (for storage life and health) when planting out in the spring. Plant out second-
year beets in the spring on an overcast day up to the base of the leaves. Water well. Wait until the risk
of a killing frost has past before planting out in the spring.