", "The article beautifully explained about cultivation and the uses of beet root as well! Beets should be harvested before a hard frost. Your beetroot will slowly grow over-time. ", "I am growing them, and what was shown here was a great plus. I'm growing all my salad veg this year. Figure out what is eating the beetroot. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Wish I read it over a month ago, because I never thinned, but it's my, "I needed advice on how far to thin my beetroot plants, as every seed had germinated at 25 to 50 mm apart. The "Boltardy" variety of beetroot is best if you're sowing early. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aaa67f3b2e7ba4fd053b2ca9b26ece5c" );document.getElementById("c94bc4d171").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Organic master gardener in Arizona sharing garden inspiration & helpful tips for growing your own garden. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Then, repeat until the container is full. That being said, avoid over-watering. Many thanks for the tips. Fall-grown beets will stand light frost, but should be harvested before a hard freeze. This article was co-authored by Andrew Carberry, MPH. If you want to grow beetroot, pick a spot with rich, fertile soil that receives plenty of sunlight, although a little shade is okay. Can beetroot survive in a tropical region like Nigeria? Slice off the top portion of a beet with a kitchen knife. Pre-soak seeds to increase germination rates, and plant each seed 1 inch deep and 2-4 inches apart. I had to know the ways of cultivation and harvesting. (Not sure of the root size? Very, "I don't have knowledge on growing beets but with this article, I was able to figure out how to grow, harvest &, "I'm planning to sow beetroot seeds in my terrace, and your tips are wonderful. Be sure to remove all stones and clods from planting beds so as not to impede or split growing roots. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 398,946 times. Should I mound up soil around beets like you do with potatoes? Choose the best location to plant beets. Seeds can benefit from a brief soaking in water for 4-6 hours before planting to soften seed coat. This will soften the seeds and encourage germination. Germination will occur in 5 to 10 days in an ideal greenhouse temperature if the soil is maintained moistened but drained. They are good to eat, both raw when young and cooked when older with a similar taste to spinach, one of its close relatives in the plant world. Excess nitrogen results in large greens but smaller root development. Dig around a little to see how large the beets are.) I have used chicken manure and it seems to improve the taste. If you notice large leaves and smaller roots, reduce fertiliser applications or switch to a fertiliser with lower nitrogen levels. Enjoy beets’ unique earthy flavor roasted in the oven, steamed, juiced, fried, sautéed, or sliced fresh in salads. Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Try beet greens fresh or sautéed. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Once harvested, store beets in plastic vegetable bags and refrigerate. That's because the "seeds" you sow are actually dried seed cases, each of which contains several seeds. Very educational and helpful. Beetroot (also known by its colloquial name, "beets," or beta vulgaris) is a sweet, healthy vegetable loaded with antioxidants. Growing beets from beets is easy, fun, and rewarding. How can one grow beetroot during the rainy season? Then, when the seedlings reach 2 cm (about an inch) in height, remove the weaker of the seedlings to give the vigorous plants room to grow – aim for about 12cm (5 inches) between seeds. In the southern hemisphere, sow seeds from September through February. Planting Beets. Water your plants daily until the leaves begin to sprout, then water them every 10-14 days if the weather is dry, and not at all during periods of normal rainfall. Applying too much nitrogen can cause lots of leafy growth and little root development. Plant seeds every few weeks for a continual harvest. In cooler areas, plant beets about one month before the last spring frost when soil temperatures reach at least 50°F. Thanks. However, when they are cooked in a pot of water, they do soften to the point where a fork will easily go through the entire beet. ", "I needed this article for school. Planting beetroot seeds Beetroot seeds have a hard outer coating, so soak them in a glass of water the night before planting. Site. To do this, take a container and line the bottom with 5 cm (2 inches) of sand. Grow beets in full sun or partial shade in warm regions. After being placed, it goes through four states of growth. The beetroots are often a deep purple hue, but some cultivars are golden or white. It takes several days or even a week for the outer seed coat to soften and allow the seeds inside to germinate. Beets grow well in almost any climate. Plant beets from the middle of September through the beginning of March. ", "The idea to twist the leaves when removing them, rather than cutting them, is totally new to me. With this, one thing that you can do is to put damp newspapers at the bottom of the pot. This doesn't mean you should throw them away, however. We’ve had the … Cover, water well and label - when the seedlings are about 2cm (0.75in) high, remove the weakest of each pair to leave one beetroot seedling every 10cm (4in). Each beet seed is actually a hard little cluster of 2 to 4 seeds. You should see the plants sprouting in seven to 14 days. This makes room for the rest to grow to a larger size. Till the soil 3-4 inches deep and remove any weeds, stones, or other debris. ", "Very informative and educational. Sow seed 10mm deep and 50mm apart. When planting beets in the fall, it is possible to succession-plant beets and also to grow a good crop of beets. By using our site, you agree to our. Beets … Very helpful. The best growth is obtained from moderate temperatures and warm soils. I'm sure I will harvest a good, "I have planted some. Some people also recommend thinning them out. Beets become woody when left too long in-ground. If it's lighter, aim for early spring. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. If planting in the spring, wait until the soil has warmed and dried out. Lightly water the seeds. Don't pull them out, as this will disturb the roots of the dominant seedling. I presently have beetroot growing on my farm in Ibadan. Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site. Choose a spot in full sun and prepare your soil with organic matter like sheep pellets and compost. For early crops of small, delicious tender vegetables sow a bolt resistant variety like Pablo under cloches in early March. Sow your seeds about 1-2 inches apart. I will be able to use this to plant on my garden. This causes beetroot to produce more leaves and less root, risking them "bolting" (flowering and not producing a vegetable). I'm a nutritionist. This article explains how do grow beetroot in a simple way, plus the pictures show you, "The specific step-by-step instructions are great for me, as this is my first attempt at growing a vegetable! some of the extra seedlings. The tops can be saved, cooked, and eaten like spinach. It does well in and around Oyo state. Feed beetroot with vegetable food throughout the growing season. In the northern hemisphere, sow seeds after the last frost. Store with greens clipped in a cool place. Sowing Beetroot: Use the corner of a hoe to form a groove (drill) in the prepared bed about 2 cm (1") deep. The "Boltardy" variety of beetroot is best if you're sowing early. Beetroot can be planted year round in New Zealand. Beets, like most root vegetables, should be planted directly in the garden. How to grow beetroot. "Have never grown beetroot, so this article is full of useful info. Thus, when seeded, beets are typically thinned to one plant. They love to eat the beet leaves. The seeds should then be sown thinly across the surface and covered with 2cm (0.75in) of compost. Beets are easy to grow but are heavy feeders so need good fertilizing to yield well. Choose smaller, rounded varieties of beets if your soil is heavy or shallow. See my disclosure policy for more information. They need consistent moisture to grow. The size of the plants will depend on the variety you grow and at what stage you harvest, but on average beetroots grow 1 to 3 inches in diameter. unlocking this expert answer. ", "Newly introduced to beetroots. It is likely that it is ants. ", first season. When fully grown it can be broken to produce beetroot seeds and beetroots. How to Harvest Beetroot. Cover the seeds lightly with loose soil, and then sprinkle it with water. Set up a schedule or perform a quick test on the soil. Beets are as versatile as they are colorful.But keep this in mind: they love cool weather and scads of sunshine. Yes. If you have the foresight in late autumn or early spring, it's a good idea to use a general granular fertiliser a few weeks before sowing and rake it into the soil to let the nutrients absorb. Beetroot is generally easy to grow and is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 vegetables grown in home gardens. Approved. Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. After you have the seeds planted, go back and cover them with a light dusting of loose soil. The most suitable soil must be loose and very well-drained. Thanks. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. ", "Great. Beets grow best in loamy, acid soils (pH levels ranging between 6.0 and 7.5). How long should I wait before doing a transplant after sowing the seed? Once the seeds have germinated, you will need to thin out (and eat!) Planting some mint in with the beets discourages the ants and can help keep them out of the garden. Use beet thinnings in salads. Beets Yield. Sow the beet root seeds 10 cm (4") apart in the drill - less thinning out required. This article helps me to know more about it as well as how to grow it. Apart from these things, the variety you choose will depend on the look and flavor that appeals to you most. Water regularly and keep the area free from weeds. You can harvest the smaller beetroot when they are a worthwhile size to eat, about 2 inches in diameter. ", "Well detailed step-by-step direction to do things. Poke it with your finger and if it is too dry, this is a sign tha… Although beets prefer growing in cooler temperatures, they … Beet “seeds” are actually fruits containing several seeds. Beetroot is a cool weather crop and is hardy in relation to frost. Plant beets from the middle of, Good companion plants for growing beets include. Harvest beet greens as soon as they are large enough to use. So unless you want seeds, you shouldn't. ", already harvested, being sold at the market. Choose a sunny spot in the garden. Space seeds 10cm apart, with 30cm between rows. To reduce bleeding in leaves, twist to remove greens rather than cutting them. To learn tips from our gardening reviewer on how to thin out your beetroot sprouts, read on! Easy to read, helpful and concise.". I treat myself with natural vegetables and fruit. Plant beets in full sun. However, the flavour will be unaffected. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. They come in different shapes and colors and are grown from either top or root. Beets tolerate a little frost and near-freezing temperatures. Wherever you decide to grow your beetroot you will be able to enjoy it fresh, cooked, juiced, frozen or pickled. Leaves can spread about 18 to 24 inches and grow to 12 to 18 inches tall. Water regularly to keep soil moist, but not wet, otherwise the tubers may dry out or even crack. Soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing will help them germinate faster and increase the percentage of seeds that germinate. Each beetroot "seed" usually produces three to four seedlings. ", "Full detailed process to grow beetroot was helpful. Planted beetroot will go through 4 stages of growth. References Believe it or not, they usually have loads of flavour. Not if you want to eat the beetroot. I'll do better next year. These don't all develop at the same rate; once you are able to identify a dominant seedling, cut the non-dominant ones at ground level. I am going to plant beetroots this season. Each beet “seed” actually contains up to 6 seeds. Support wikiHow by When harvesting beets, leave the root stem attached to prevent “bleeding”, which draws moisture out of the beet. If you’re planting seedlings, gently pull them apart and plant about 5–10cm apart to allow enough space to grow and reduce competition for nutrients. It has helped me. Boron is an important nutrient for growing beetroot and often lacking in Australian soils, particularly in alkaline soils. Following the instructions given in this guide will help you to enjoy great success growing beets. Sow your seeds or plant your seedlings after the last frost of the year. This article has been viewed 398,946 times. Regular water keeps beets tender and prevents discoloration. ", "An all-weather and summarized article. In warm climates like the low desert of Arizona, beets grow during the cooler months. Now I understand this. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Stored in a cool, dry area, these beets … Prior to sowing, dig in around a bucketful of well-rotted garden compost or organic matter and rake in a handful per square metre/yard of Growmore or other general purpose fertiliser. Your email address will not be published. You’ll want to balance between the plants need for nitrogen and phosphorus for good results. I have mistaken beet greens for Swiss chard in my garden and harvested and used the greens all winter long before realizing there was a beet attached. Easy to grow and rich in fiber, iron and vitamins, beetroot are a popular vegetable garden crop for a number of reasons. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Grow-Beetroot-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Grow-Beetroot-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/67\/Grow-Beetroot-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/aid1445638-v4-728px-Grow-Beetroot-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"