Bert Swope
If you’re wondering why grow beets, there are several good reasons. They’re delicious, nutritious, and easy to grow. There are some important tips to remember when growing them. Learn how to fertilize, harvest, and keep them cool and dry. Then you can enjoy the rewards of your hard work!
Benefits of growing beets
The growing period for beets depends on the climate of the place where you live. In general, they should be planted in early spring, about two weeks before the last frost. However, you can sow them later if you have a warm climate. In such climates, late sowing may produce high quality roots and early harvest. However, it is not advisable to grow beets in the same beds as other crops such as potatoes.
Beets do not grow well in acidic or alkaline soils, and they will stop growing on such soils soon after germination. If you have soils that are too acidic, it is important to lime them. This is done by mixing 500 to 600 grams of lime-fluff per square meter. In addition, the soil surface must be cleared of plant debris in spring.
Beet seeds need a warm, moist place to germinate. A temperature of 18 to 25 degrees is ideal. Depending on these factors, beets may take three to seven days to sprout. However, irregular humidification can delay emergence dates. The process of sprouting beets is simple, and doesn’t require much time.
For optimal growth, you can use organic beet fertilizer and seaweed extract. These two ingredients will help your beets grow quickly and keep them healthy. However, be sure to avoid watering your beets too much; watering them on a daily basis can result in disease and poor yield. A few times a week is sufficient, especially in hot climates.
Beets can be planted in containers or directly in the ground. If you’re planning to grow them in the ground, it’s best to select a sandy soil. This soil will be warmer in spring and fall. Soil that is too clay-based will make it difficult for beets to grow.
Harvesting beets
Harvesting beets is one of the most important parts of growing them. When you harvest your beets, you should dig them up carefully without cutting into the root or tap root. If you do, they will bleed and lose moisture. This can reduce the shelf life of the beets.
The ideal time to harvest beets is when they are a few inches in diameter. They should be roughly the size of a tennis or golf ball. Harvesting beets should take place about 50 to 70 days after planting them. To harvest your beets, remove the mulch at the top of the plant and look for the crown. The crown of the beet should be about an inch above the soil level.
Once the beets are ready for harvesting, wash them thoroughly and allow them to dry. You can then remove the stems and place them in plastic bags to store them. Beets can remain fresh for about a week if they are stored properly.
Once the leaves start to develop, thin the plants. Mulch keeps the soil moist and provides the necessary warmth for the roots. If you are growing beets for greens, you can plant them half an inch apart without thinning them. This way, the plants will have the space needed to grow big roots.
During colder weather, beets can go to seed. When this occurs, the roots will be woody and will no longer produce a harvestable root or seed stalk. Beets also respond well to row covers. Covering the plants with straw can protect them from the wind. If your beets are not edible, you can store them in a refrigerator crisper for up to a month.
Fertilizing beets
Beets grow best in well-drained soil with plenty of organic content. You can use a balanced fertilizer to provide them with the nutrients they need. Applying a fertilizer about three pounds per plant is recommended. If your area experiences a lot of rainfall, consider increasing the amount of fertilizer. Fertilizing beets every three weeks after germination will keep them healthy and ensure a high-yielding crop.
Beets need a good balance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. High levels of nitrogen will stunt root growth and result in smaller beets. To balance the nutrients, use organic fertilizers that have a low nitrogen content. If you’re unsure about which type of fertilizer to use, read the label.
Beets are particularly sensitive to soil boron, so you’ll need to make sure the soil has adequate levels of this element. If the soil is deficient in boron, black spots will develop on the roots. Adding a half-ounce of Borax to your soil should help prevent these symptoms. Also, remember to thin the roots to promote healthy root growth. And, weed control is essential to ensuring a good yield.
There are several types of granular fertilizer available in the market. Some are slow-release and others are fast-acting. A slow-release formula should be applied to beets early in the growing season. This will ensure a continuous supply of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen.
Beets are easy to grow from seeds, but they also need some maintenance. Ideally, you should plant the seedlings in composted soil and fertilize them once every five to ten days. The best time to harvest beets is when they are one to three inches in diameter. Beets also require moderate amounts of water. To water them, you can use a soaker hose or an irrigation system.
Keeping beets cool and dry
Keeping beets cool and dry is an important part of their preservation. It helps to keep them fresh for a long time. To do this, dehydrate them in a dehydrator. Beets can last for up to 6 months when stored properly. The key is to keep them out of direct sunlight and away from moisture.
You can store beets in a refrigerator, but it is best to store them in a cool, dry place. You can use a plastic storage bag or reusable produce mesh bags. Make sure not to wash the roots since this will strip away the protective waxy layer. Regardless of which option you choose, it is important to check the beets frequently to ensure they are not rotting.
Beets can be stored in plastic bags for a longer period. They also keep well in the freezer when prepared properly. If you’re freezing beets, ensure that you cut the stems about two inches above the root. After trimming, make sure they’re completely dry. Beets keep well in temperatures between zero and six degrees Celsius.
Keeping beets cool and dry is important to prevent them from becoming soft. Beetroots can last up to three months in a refrigerator if they are stored properly. However, they lose their firmness and flavor if they are stored at room temperature for more than a day.
When cooking beets, the most common method is to boil them until they are tender and easily removed from their skin. Depending on the size of the beet, this process can take anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour. You can also dehydrate the beets separately by using a dehydrator. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can freeze the beets whole or in slices and add them to smoothies or soups.
Pruning beets
When growing beets, pruning is an important step. Beets need six hours of sunlight per day, so if your plant is growing near a tree, prune back the branches to allow light to reach the roots. If the plant is growing in a container, try moving it to a spot where it gets the most light. Beets also prefer soil that is neutral or slightly alkaline. Beets can become stunted if their pH level is too low.
Pruning beets is relatively simple. First, you need to dig a finger into the soil to check the moisture level. After this, thin the plants by pulling out small plants. This helps the remaining plants grow healthier. Once the plants are thinned out, place mulch around them to keep them moist.
Pruning beets should be done as early as possible. When beets are young, you can harvest them for the roots, which are approximately two inches in diameter. However, if the root is too big, it will become woody and unusable. When harvesting beets in the fall, you should remove the roots before the ground freezes. If your beets have reached the appropriate size, you can leave them in the ground until late fall, although you will need to remove the leaves to store them.
Beets are susceptible to a variety of diseases, including Cercospora leaf spot and scab. If you have symptoms of either of these diseases, you should consider applying a fungicide. This will prevent the development of fungus. The plant may also have problems with damping-off and root-knot nematodes.