Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Beets can be overwintered outdoors in zones 8 and above. In this case, sow in mid to late summer.
Plants can be selected in the spring before they bolt.
HARVEST
Ripe seed pellets typically contain two to five seeds. Ripe seeds, that is, the brown pellets
the seeds are contained in, do not fall easily from the plant, so they can and should remain there until
fully ripe. Place entire plants in a warm place with good air circulation to dry completely, then thresh
in a bag and winnow with a sieve. Seeds remain in the pellets.
SELECTION CHARACTERISTICS
Like all chenopods, beets tend to accumulate nitrate salts. Varieties
with a minimal tendency to accumulate nitrates are a focus of organic breeding.
Varieties differ from each other primarily in size, shape, and color of root and leaves. There are vari-
eties with light to dark red roots but also varieties with yellow or white or white-and-red striped roots.
Uniformity of color is what is typically sought. Lighter colored varieties are particularly good for pick-
ling with other vegetables, as these beets will not stain them like red beets would. Beets with spherical
roots grow faster than those with long, cylindrical roots. Potential selection criteria:
Beet seed stalks in the foreground, beet leaves in the background
• whole plant: true-to-type (as much as possible, remove non-true-to-type and diseased plants during
the first year)
• health of stored beets: do not propagate plants afflicted with cercospora (seed-borne), look for resist-
ance to powdery and downy mildew
• leaf: good foliation, dense nodality
• external traits of the root: size, firmness, shape, smoothness, lack of side roots
• internal traits of the root: best determined by taking a core sample (up to 0.25 in. [5 mm] in diamet-
er). Otherwise cut out small pieces of the root with a knife. Disinfect wounds on the beet with wood
ash or animal charcoal and allow to dry. Select for: color, uniformity of color or clear zoning of color,
taste, storage life.
DISEASES AND PESTS
In areas where beets have been grown historically, a multitude of diseases can
present problems. Your local agricultural extension office or gardening association may be able to tell
