How to Grow Beets: A Crunchy Moon Guide
Beets aren’t just beautiful - they’re packed with nutrients like folate, iron, and antioxidants. Plus, you get a two-for-one harvest: roots for roasting, steaming, or pickling, and greens for sautéing or salads.
Beet Basics
- Types:
- Red Beets: Classic, sweet, earthy flavor.
- Golden Beets: Milder, less staining.
- Chioggia Beets: Striped, candy-cane interior; mild taste.
- Uses: Roots, greens, pickles, juices, roasted dishes, and salads.
Best Growing Conditions
- USDA Zones: 2–11. Beets are cool-season crops.
- Sunlight: Full sun is ideal; partial shade is tolerated in hot climates.
- Soil: Loose, well-draining, rich in organic matter. Avoid rocky soil to prevent forked roots.
- pH: Slightly acidic to neutral, 6.0–7.5.
- Temperature: 50–75°F. Hot weather may cause bolting (flowering) and woody roots.
Planting Beets
- From Seed:
- Sow seeds directly in garden; they do not transplant well.
- Plant ½ inch deep and 1–2 inches apart.
- Space rows 12–18 inches apart.
- Succession Planting: Plant every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.
- Thinning: Once seedlings are 2–3 inches tall, thin to 3–4 inches apart for proper root development.
Care During Growth
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist. Inconsistent watering leads to tough or split roots.
- Mulching: Retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps roots cool.
- Fertilizing: Light feeding with compost or balanced organic fertilizer. Avoid excess nitrogen - promotes greens at the expense of roots.
- Weeding: Beets have shallow roots, so hand-weed carefully.
Harvesting Beets
- Roots:
- Harvest at 1–3 inches diameter for tender, flavorful roots.
- Larger beets may be woody.
- Greens: Snip outer leaves anytime; leave inner leaves to continue growth.
- Timing: Typically 50–70 days from planting, depending on variety.
Tips for Growing Beets
- 🌱 Thin carefully: Crowded roots grow small and misshapen.
- 🪴 Grow in raised beds: Improves drainage and avoids rocky, forked roots.
- 🌞 Sunlight: Full sun = sweeter roots.
- 🍂 Succession planting: Plant a few rows every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.
- 🥗 Dual harvest: Don’t throw away greens - they’re nutrient-dense and delicious.
⚠ Cautions
- Bolting: Hot temperatures or stress can trigger flowering; these roots become woody.
- Pests: Leaf miners, flea beetles, and aphids can damage leaves. Handpick or use neem oil if needed.
- Root splitting: Caused by uneven watering; maintain consistent moisture.
- Soil compaction: Can cause forked or misshapen roots.
