Gardening Guide: Beets

Growing beets is a great idea, any way you slice it. Fresh, roasted, pickled, steamed, or canned, they add a lot to your garden and to your cooking.

Grow Zone Recommendation: Growing beets is recommended in USDA zones 8 to 10. The warm climate means you can plant more beets from seed every week into late June. You can also plant your beet plants in late summer, perhaps August, for a fall harvest.

Sunlight Needs: Growing beets is possible in partial sun to full sun.

Watering Needs: Beets require deep watering on a regular basis for consistent and even moisture. Don’t allow the soil to dry out, as your beets may become cracked or woody. If you overwater, the leaves themselves may turn from their normal green to red, matching the normal color of the stalks. Growth may also be stunted.

Average Size: Beet plants will grow up to 3 feet in height. The beet roots themselves may be 2 to 8 inches wide.

Foliage Color: Healthy beet plants feature bright green leaves and gorgeous red stalks.

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Must Know Plant Care Tips: It’s a good idea to add a good layer of mulch to retain moisture. If you want to harvest your beet greens, do so when they’re 4 to 6 inches tall. The roots can be harvested any time, but for the best flavor and texture, harvest when they’re no larger than 1 or 2 inches in diameter. When you harvest, leave about 1 inch of foliage to keep the tops from “bleeding” when you cook them.

Plant Problem Solver: Soil temperature is important when growing beets. For seedlings, the ideal temperature of the soil is no lower than 50 and no higher than 85 degrees fahrenheit. Soil should also be well drained to prevent rot, and pH should be kept between 6.5 and 7. Amending soil with organic matter will help facilitate deep root growth.

Pretty Pairings: Good companions for beets include broccoli, garlic, brussels sprouts, bush beans, and cabbage.

Resource: https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/vegetable/beet/