This guide teaches you how to grow beets in your garden this summer.
How to Grow Beets
Beets are one of those vegetables that has a lot of uses. It can be pickled and served in salads. It can be roasted for a wonderful and rich pop of color in any dish and it can even be used in craft projects to dye fabrics! If you are ready to grow your own beets this year, make sure you check out these tips for growing beets in your own garden from seed to harvest!
How to Grow Beets from Seed
Beets are one of the easiest seeds to start indoors and out. Depending on how you want to start them there is a covering over the seeds that may need to be dealt with.
If you are starting indoors, soak the seeds dor 24 hours before planting to help remove this and aid in germination. Plant about ½ inch into seed starting soil in seedling trays and water. Keep soil in a warm spot until germination in about a week.
If starting outdoors, you don’t need to soak the seeds. You will want to place them in compost mixed soil in a sunny spot about ½ inch down and 8 inches apart.
For more in-depth information on growing beets from seed, check out this post.
How to Transplant Beet Seedlings
Beet seedling transplanting requires a lot of care as to not shock the roots. This often makes people afraid to transplant or grow seedlings indoors. Transplanting can be very successful if you just use extra caution. You will also want to give them a hardening off process, too. To transplant, you will want to make sure you have the soil prepared first and do not shake off excess dirt from the seedlings when you move them.
For more detailed information on transplanting beet seedlings, check out this post.
Beet Care and Pests
The good news about beet gardening is, they aren’t susceptible to too many pests. This is mostly because they are a cool weather crop, but also because they are just pretty hardy in general.
Like most crops, aphids can be a problem if anything. These are little green bugs you will see on the leaves. To get rid of them simply spritz off with a hose.
To help with better crops, be prepared to thin out your beets if they grow too close.
How to Harvest Beets
Beets can be harvested at several points along the way. If you want to have the tender baby version, harvest as soon as they are about the size of a golf ball.
If you prefer to wait, give them about 8 weeks to fully mature after transplanting. You can check on them by gently moving some soil out of the way and seeing if they are at least a couple of inches in diameter at the crown. To harvest, simply gently pul up the beet greens as close to the bulb as possible.
Store beets in the fridge and plan on using them up right away. If you can’t, feel free to leave them in the soil an extra week or 2, but don’t let them stay there too long or they will change in texture and taste.
For More Information on How to Grow Beets
How to Transplant Beet Seedlings
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