One of the simplest vegetables to grow is beetroot. Pests and illness hardly ever bother them. They don't require fussing, trimming, or staking. Simply plant the seeds and wait six to eight weeks for the plants to grow. The roots can be harvested whenever you want to, from midsummer to late autumn.
As a cool-season crop, beetroots thrive in temperatures between 16°C and 20°C in the spring and autumn. Plants are great if you have limited space because they take up very little, especially when harvested early. They can even be cultivated in pots.
Beets can be harvested at any time when they reach the size of a golf ball or a cricket ball. However, don't allow them to grow too large, as they may become woody. They can be ready in as little as 40 days (though typically between 50 and 60). In addition to being edible, the leaves have decorative value and are frequently veined or coloured red. Learn more!
How To Grow Beets From Seeds?
Beetroots produce seeds that are clustered and hard in nature. The most productive way to sow these seeds in the garden for a beautiful yield is to sow them directly. It takes many days or even a week for the outer seed coat to relax and allow the seeds inside to germinate. It's crucial to maintain the soil continuously moist throughout this phase. After the germination, you need to pick and thin out the plants.
Like most vegetables, beets prefer growing in full light and need approximately 30 ml of water per week. They are also cold-tolerant, so they can be planted in early spring. It is important to know that beds or the garden are to be kept completely moist during cold weather. You can cover the area with row cover until germination.
Harvesting
A midsummer planting of beets can replace early-season crops such as lettuce and peas. Beets grown in the fall may withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees. If you don’t find the outdoors suitable, you can also grow them indoors by giving them the correct artificial habitat. Remove the leaves while preserving a ½" cluster of stems at the root's summit.
After gently brushing away any dirt, place the beets in a plastic bag (do not seal it) and keep it in the crisper section of your refrigerator. You can bake, roast, boil, or pickle beets. They're also great for shredded raw into salads.
The base and top of thinned plants can be fried together. Beet greens can be gathered as soon as they are large enough, but if you want to harvest roots, likewise, only one or two leaves should be plucked from each plant.
Mature roots are normally ready to harvest 6 to 8 weeks after planting, when they have reached the size of a golf ball. They can be dug with a potato fork or similar equipment.
Things To Remember
Crop rotation is a good way to prevent soil erosion and lower your risk of diseases. Don't plant beets in the same location during two different growing seasons. As mentioned above, beets prefer cool to moderate temperatures. If you cultivate them in a hot climate, you might want to give them some shade during the warmest hours of the day.
Look out for common pests of beets, such as leafhoppers, leaf miners, and aphids. Remove infected foliage or employ organic pest control methods as appropriate. Beets are often less sensitive to pests and illnesses compared to certain other crops, but it's still vital to monitor them regularly. By detecting problems early on, you can take action before they worsen. To encourage air circulation and the general health of the plant, remove any dead or diseased leaves.