How To Plant Beets

Ready to grow your own beets? It’s easier than you think! You’ll have a bountiful harvest in no time. Let’s dive in and get those beets growing!

How to Plant Beets: A Step-by-Step Guide

When Is the Best Time to Plant Beets?

Beets thrive in cooler weather, so timing is key for a sweet harvest. You can plant them in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, about 2 to 4 weeks before the last expected frost.

For a fall crop, sow seeds in late summer or early autumn, roughly 8 to 10 weeks before the first frost date. This schedule ensures the roots mature before temperatures drop too low.

Remember, consistent moisture and moderate temperatures prevent the roots from becoming woody or bitter, giving you the best flavor possible.

Choosing the Right Location for Your Beet Crop

Select a spot that receives full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While beets tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates, they produce the best roots in bright light. Ensure the area has good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can rot the roots.

If you have heavy clay soil, consider using raised beds to improve drainage. Avoid planting beets where you recently grew spinach or chard, as they share similar pests and nutrient needs, potentially depleting the soil.

Preparing the Soil for Optimal Growth

Beets prefer loose, well-draining soil free of rocks and clumps, which allows root vegetables to develop straight and deep. Before planting, work the soil to a depth of at least 8 to 12 inches, removing any debris that might obstruct growth.

Mix in plenty of compost or aged manure to boost fertility and texture. Avoid fresh manure, as it can cause excessive foliage growth at the expense of the root. A soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5 is ideal, so test your soil and adjust with lime if necessary.

Sowing Beet Seeds Correctly

Beet seeds are actually dried fruit clusters containing multiple seeds, so careful planting is crucial. Plant the seeds about 1/2 inch deep in rows spaced 12 to 18 inches apart.

After planting, water the soil gently but thoroughly to keep it moist until germination, which usually takes 7 to 14 days. To improve germination rates, you can soak the seeds in water for a few hours before sowing.

This softens the tough outer shell and helps speed up the sprouting process, ensuring you get a strong start.

Spacing and Thinning Beet Seedlings

Once seedlings reach about 2 inches tall, it is time to thin the plants to prevent overcrowding. Aim for a final spacing of 3 to 4 inches between each beet, giving them enough room to swell without competition.

Gently pull out the weakest seedlings, being careful not to disturb the roots of the remaining plants. You can often eat the thinned seedlings as tender microgreens in salads. Proper spacing is essential because crowded plants will produce small, deformed roots rather than the hearty vegetables you want.

How to Care for Beet Plants During the Growing Season

Watering Requirements for Healthy Beets

Beets need consistent moisture to grow into sweet, tender roots, especially during dry spells. Aim to provide about 1 inch of water per week, either through rainfall or manual watering. Deep, infrequent watering is best because it encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, rather than staying shallow.

Check the soil regularly by sticking your finger about an inch deep—if it feels dry, it’s time to water. Watering early in the morning is ideal to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases. Uneven watering can cause beets to become woody or crack, so keep a steady schedule.

Using a soaker hose or drip irrigation can help deliver water directly to the roots without wetting the foliage, keeping your plants healthy and happy.

Essential Nutrients and Fertilizer Needs

Beets are light feeders, but they benefit from soil rich in organic matter. Before planting, mix in compost or well-rotted manure to provide slow-release nutrients. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, as these can encourage lush leaf growth at the expense of root development.

If your soil is poor, a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be applied sparingly. A soil test can help you determine if your soil lacks specific nutrients like boron, which is crucial for beet growth.

Side-dress plants with compost midway through the season to give them a boost. Remember, healthy soil leads to healthy beets, so focus on building organic matter rather than relying heavily on synthetic fertilizers.

Managing Weeds Around Your Beet Patch

Weeds compete with beets for water, nutrients, and sunlight, so keeping them under control is essential. Hand-pulling is the safest method, especially when beets are young, to avoid damaging their shallow roots. Use a hoe or cultivator gently to disturb the soil surface and uproot weeds without harming your plants.

Mulching can also help suppress weed growth, reducing the need for frequent weeding. Stay on top of weeding early in the season, as beet seedlings are slow to establish and can easily be overtaken by aggressive weeds. Regularly inspect your patch and remove weeds before they go to seed.

A little effort now will save you time later and ensure your beets have room to thrive.

Mulching to Retain Moisture and Suppress Pests

Mulching is a simple yet effective way to keep your beet patch thriving. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch like straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings around your plants. This helps retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering, and keeps the soil cool, which beets love.

Mulch also suppresses weeds and prevents soil splashing onto the leaves, reducing the risk of disease. Some pests, like leaf miners, are less likely to infest mulched areas. Avoid using dyed or treated mulch, as these can introduce chemicals to your soil.

Replenish mulch as it breaks down to maintain its benefits throughout the growing season.

Common Pests and Diseases Affecting Beet Plants

Identifying and Controlling Leaf Miners

When learning how to plant beets, keep an eye out for leaf miners, which leave squiggly trails on your beet greens. These pests tunnel between leaf layers, reducing the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. To control them, check leaves regularly and remove any showing signs of infestation.

Sticky traps can also help catch adult flies before they lay eggs. If the infestation is mild, you can simply trim damaged leaves—your beets will still grow well. For severe cases, consider using row covers early in the season to prevent flies from reaching your plants.

This simple step protects your crop and ensures healthy growth without harsh chemicals.

Preventing Fungal Diseases Like Cercospora Leaf Spot

Fungal diseases like cercospora leaf spot can ruin your beet harvest if you’re not careful. This disease shows up as small, circular brown spots with red borders on leaves. To prevent it, avoid overhead watering since moisture encourages fungal growth.

Instead, water at the base of the plants early in the day so leaves dry quickly. Crop rotation also helps—don’t plant beets in the same spot every year. If you spot infected leaves, remove them immediately to stop the spread.

A bit of compost tea or neem oil spray can act as a natural fungicide, keeping your plants strong and disease-free.

Protecting Your Crop from Root Maggots

Root maggots are a sneaky pest that burrow into beet roots, causing rot and poor growth. These small, white larvae thrive in cool, moist soil, making early plantings especially vulnerable. To protect your crop, use row covers right after planting to block adult flies from laying eggs near the soil.

Another trick is to sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of plants, which dehydrates and repels the maggots. Rotating crops yearly and clearing away plant debris also reduces their hiding spots. By taking these steps, you’ll safeguard your beets and enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Organic Solutions for Beetle Infestations

Beetles like flea beetles or spinach leaf miners can chew holes in your beet greens, but organic solutions work wonders. Hand-picking beetles off plants is effective for small infestations, or you can knock them into a bucket of soapy water.

For larger problems, neem oil spray is a safe, natural option that disrupts beetle feeding without harming beneficial insects. Planting companion herbs like dill or garlic near your beets can also deter pests with their strong scents.

Regularly inspecting your plants and acting quickly ensures these pesky beetles don’t take over your garden. Keep it simple, and your beets will thrive!

Companion Planting: What to Grow with Beets

Best Companion Plants to Boost Growth

To get the most out of your beet patch, pair them with leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard. These shallow-rooted plants won’t compete for nutrients, allowing your beets to develop their taproot freely.

Brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower are also excellent neighbors because they share similar soil and watering needs. Planting bush beans nearby can be a game-changer too, as they naturally fix nitrogen in the soil, enriching the ground for your beets without requiring extra fertilizer.

Just remember to space them properly to ensure good airflow. This setup creates a diverse garden ecosystem that maximizes your yield while keeping maintenance simple.

Plants to Avoid Near Your Beet Patch

While beets are friendly to many crops, they struggle when planted near pole beans, field mustard, and charlock. These plants can release compounds that inhibit beet growth or compete aggressively for space and resources.

It is best to keep your beets away from runner beans specifically, as they can stunt root development and reduce your overall harvest. Additionally, avoid planting beets next to corn, which grows tall and dense, casting too much shade on the sun-loving beet greens.

By steering clear of these incompatible pairings, you prevent unnecessary competition and ensure your beets have the room they need to thrive underground without stress.

Benefits of Intercropping with Alliums

Intercropping beets with members of the onion family, like garlic, onions, and shallots, offers fantastic protection for your garden. These pungent plants are known for their ability to deter garden pests such as aphids, slugs, and sugar beet flea beetles, which love to munch on beet greens.

The strong scent of alliums masks the smell of beets, effectively confusing harmful insects. Furthermore, alliums have shallow root systems that occupy the upper soil layer, while beets delve deeper, meaning they don’t fight for nutrients.

This symbiotic relationship not only keeps your plants healthier but also optimizes the use of your available garden space.

Using Herbs as Natural Deterrents

Herbs are not just for cooking; they are powerful allies in the vegetable garden. Planting aromatic herbs like mint, catnip, and borage around your beets can help repel damaging insects such as flea beetles and leafhoppers.

These herbs work as natural deterrents by releasing strong scents that confuse pests looking for a meal. Mint and catnip are particularly effective, though you should contain them in pots to prevent invasive spreading. Borage adds another benefit by trace minerals to the soil and attracting beneficial pollinators.

This fragrant border creates a protective barrier, ensuring your beets grow strong and leafy without the need for chemical pesticides.

How and When to Harvest Beets

Signs That Your Beets Are Ready for Harvest

You’ll know your beets are ready when the shoulders push up through the soil and look about the size of a golf ball or tennis ball. This usually happens 50-70 days after planting.

Gently brush away some dirt around the top of the root to check the size—if they’re too small, leave them to grow a bit longer. Don’t wait too long, though! Larger beets can get woody and tough.

The best way to gauge is by taste testing one—pull a small beet, roast it, and see if it’s sweet and tender. If yes, go ahead and harvest the rest.

Techniques for Harvesting Without Damaging Roots

To avoid breaking or bruising your beets, loosen the soil first with a garden fork or spade, digging about 6 inches away from the plant. Then, grab the beet greens near the crown and gently pull upward while wiggling the root free.

If the soil is dry, water the day before to soften it. Beets have delicate skin, so handle them carefully—scratches can lead to rot during storage. Shake off excess dirt but don’t wash them until you’re ready to eat or store them.

Washing removes the protective layer and shortens shelf life.

Can You Harvest Beet Greens Early?

Yes! Beet greens are delicious and can be harvested when they’re about 4-6 inches tall. Snip just a few outer leaves from each plant, leaving at least an inch of stem to encourage regrowth. This way, you get a continuous supply of greens without stunting root growth.

Avoid taking more than one-third of the leaves at once, or the beet may struggle to grow. Fresh beet greens are great in salads, sautéed, or blended into smoothies. Just remember, the roots need leaves to photosynthesize, so balance your harvest to enjoy both roots and greens.

Harvesting Beets for Storage vs. Fresh Eating

For fresh eating, harvest beets as needed—they taste best when young and tender. If you’re storing them, wait until after a light frost, which sweetens the flavor, but pull them before the ground freezes hard.

Cut the tops off, leaving about an inch of stem to prevent bleeding, and store them in a cool, humid place like a root cellar or fridge in perforated plastic bags. Properly stored beets can last 3-5 months.

Fresh-eating beets can stay in the ground longer, but stored beets should be harvested before extreme cold hits.

Troubleshooting Common Beet Growing Problems

Why Are My Beets Growing Above the Ground?

If your beets are pushing out of the soil, it’s often due to compacted soil or inconsistent moisture. Beets need loose, well-draining soil to grow properly. Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches and mix in compost to improve texture.

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, as dry spells can cause roots to heave upward. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. If you notice beets popping up, gently cover them with soil, but avoid burying the growing tip.

Proper spacing (2-3 inches apart) also reduces competition for nutrients, helping roots stay underground.

Solving Issues with Woody or Tough Roots

Woody or tough beets usually result from over-maturity or inconsistent watering. Harvest beets when they’re 1.5-2 inches in diameter for the best texture. Larger roots tend to become fibrous. To prevent toughness, water regularly—about 1 inch per week—and avoid letting the soil dry out completely.

Hot weather can also cause woody roots, so consider planting beets in early spring or late summer for cooler growing conditions. Adding organic matter like compost improves soil structure, promoting smoother roots. If you already have woody beets, they’re still edible—just grate or roast them to soften the texture.

Dealing with Poor Germination Rates

Beet seeds are actually seed clusters, so thin them early once they sprout to avoid overcrowding. Poor germination often happens due to crusty soil or dry conditions. Before planting, soak seeds in water for 24 hours to soften their outer shell.

Plant seeds ½ inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until germination. A light layer of mulch can help retain moisture without blocking seedlings. Avoid planting too deep or in cold, wet soil, as this can rot seeds.

If germination is slow, try planting in raised beds or rows to improve drainage and warmth. Patience is key—beet seeds can take 7-14 days to sprout.

What to Do If Beets Are Too Small

Small beets often signal nutrient deficiencies or overcrowding. Beets are heavy feeders, so enrich the soil with balanced fertilizer or compost before planting. Thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart to give each root space to grow.

If soil is acidic, add lime to raise the pH to 6.0-7.0, as beets prefer slightly alkaline conditions. Too much nitrogen can encourage leafy growth at the expense of roots, so use a low-nitrogen fertilizer. Ensure consistent watering, as drought stress stunts root development.

If your beets remain small, harvest them early for baby beets or extend the growing season with succession planting every 2-3 weeks.

Storing and Preserving Your Beet Harvest

Best Methods for Short-Term Storage

After harvesting your beets, trim the greens to about an inch above the root to prevent moisture loss. Refrigerate unwashed beets in a perforated plastic bag to maintain humidity while allowing airflow. This method keeps them fresh for up to two weeks.

For a rustic touch, store them in a cool, dark place like a basement or root cellar, ideally at 32-40°F. Layering beets with damp sand or sawdust in a crate can also extend their shelf life.

Check periodically for any signs of spoilage, and remove damaged beets promptly to avoid affecting others. Short-term storage is perfect for enjoying your harvest fresh without extensive preservation efforts.

How to Cure Beets for Long-Term Keeping

To store beets for months, curing is essential. After harvesting, gently brush off excess soil—don’t wash them yet. Cure beets in a warm, dry area (around 50-60°F) for 5-7 days to toughen their skins.

Once cured, trim tops to ½ inch and store in a cool, humid space like a root cellar. Maintain temperatures between 32-40°F and 90-95% humidity for optimal storage. Inspect regularly, removing any soft or moldy beets. Properly cured beets can last 4-6 months, providing a steady supply throughout winter.

This method is ideal for gardeners with larger harvests or limited freezer space.

Freezing and Canning Beets for Later Use

Freezing is a quick way to preserve beets while retaining nutrients. Start by blanching small beets whole or larger ones cubed for 2-3 minutes, then plunge into ice water. Pack into airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving space for expansion.

For canning, pressure canning is recommended for safety, as beets are low-acid. Follow tested recipes and processing times to avoid spoilage. Both methods ensure your beets are ready for soups, salads, or roasting. Label containers with dates to track freshness.

Freezing and canning are excellent for long-term storage, especially if you lack ideal root cellar conditions.

Creative Ways to Use Extra Beet Harvests

Got more beets than you can store? Get creative in the kitchen! Pickle beets with vinegar, sugar, and spices for a tangy snack or salad topper. Fermenting them into sauerkraut or kimchi adds probiotics and a unique flavor.

Another idea is to dehydrate beet slices for crispy chips or powder them for smoothies and natural food coloring. Don’t forget the tops—sauté beet greens like spinach or blend them into pesto. Sharing with neighbors or donating to food banks is also a great way to reduce waste.

These methods let you enjoy every part of your harvest in delicious, unexpected ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Choose a sunny spot with loose, well-draining soil, and sow seeds directly in the ground ½ inch deep. Keep the soil consistently moist and thin seedlings to 3 inches apart for healthy roots. With proper care, you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, homegrown beets.