Three Tricks To Growing Perfect Beets

Beets are a staple in any homesteader’s garden. They’re super nutritious plants that will be used for everything from sauteed greens to harvesting sugar from the roots. I happen to like the flavor of a homegrown beet, and once I found out these tricks to growing beets, I used to be thrilled.

Did you recognize beets are one among the healthiest veggies you’ll eat? Despite that, beets are one among the foremost polarizing veggies out there—you either love them or despise them.

If you’re a beet-lover like me, you’ll be glad to understand that learning the way to grow beets yourself is extremely doable! Whether you favor them juiced or roasted during a salad, a home-grown harvest of beets will taste better than anything out there.

HOW TO GROW BEETS

Beets are a beneficial vegetable which will offer you an entire host of nutrients, without all the calories. So why wouldn’t you would like to feature them to your diet and garden?

The best part is that they’re surprisingly easy to grow too. So albeit you’re a beginning gardener, you ought to achieve success with the following pointers.

VARIETIES OF BEETS

Before we get into the way to grow beets, you’ve got to settle on your variety. There are numerous sorts of beets to settle on from white to yellow to red.

Each features a slightly different look and taste, so if you’ve got had a very delicious beet dish somewhere, confirm to ask what quite a beet they’re using. Each varietal takes around 50-70 days before they will be harvested – unless you’re growing them for microgreens.

Here are a couple of of the foremost popular options to pick from:

Big Red – Takes approximately 55 days before they’re ready for harvest.

Sangria – on the average, you’re watching 56 days before you’ll pick them.

Golden – These yellow beets are often picked after 55 days.

Detroit red – These are the beets you’re familiar with seeing. they will be harvested around 58 days.

Pacemaker – a bit like within the name, these are fast-growing beets and maybe picked in 50 days.

GROWING BEETS TRICK #1: CHOOSE LOOSE HEALTHY SOIL

Like other veggies, beets sort of a lot of sunlight. So choose a location that gets a minimum of 6 hours of sun daily. you’ll also want to amend your soil if it’s too rocky, dense, or doesn’t drain well (as some clay soil). Beets also are ideal candidates for growing in containers and raised beds.

Because beets are root crops, they have to possess space for his or her roots to grow out then swell. Hard or rocky soil makes this harder for them to try to do. If you create sure your soil is straightforward to dig in, then your beets should grow good.

Beets prefer a pH between 6.0 – 7.0 and don’t need tons of nitrogen. once we consider nitrogen and plants, we expect about growing big leafy greens. But if you would like a healthy crop, confirm your soil has many phosphorous.

You’ll need a soil test to work out the nutrient content. the simplest thanks to learning this is often by sending a soil sample off to your county agent, but there also are some home kits (we’ve used this one) which will offer you a fast answer. When needed, a fertilizer with a better middle NPK number (like a bone meal) is more appropriate for growing beets.

TRICK #2: PLANT THEM AT the proper TIME

Beets are often planted within the spring or the autumn, and, like broccoli, can tolerate a touch little bit of weather. within the spring, set seeds within the ground 2-3 weeks before the last frost.

In southern climates, they’ll actually do better when planted in September and October. this is often because the recent weather will make your beets bitter and pithy.

Whether in spring or fall, here are some quick planting tips for beets:

Drag a line into the soil about 1/2 inch deep.

Plant one seed every 1-2 inches during a row.

Keep the rows spaced out a minimum of 1 foot apart.

After you plant the seeds within the soil carefully cover them up with dirt.

Tap or press the bottom, so it’s more compact–I usually use my hand for this, and it’ll keep the soil nice and firm around the seed.

Label your garden (it’s far too easy to forget what you planted where!) and provides water it in well. you ought to attempt to keep the soil moist because the beets are growing, particularly as they’re getting started in those first few weeks.

TRICK #3 FOR PERFECT BEETS: PROTECT THE ROOTS

While growing beets is fairly low-maintenance, there are a couple of belongings you will get to do to make sure they grow properly. within the first few weeks as your beets sprout, you’ll get to thin out the seedlings in order that the adult plants aren’t too crowded.

To thin your beets, use scissors to chop the surplus seedlings at the soil level. You don’t want to tug them up as you’ll disturb the basis system of the plants you would like to stay. If you allow them and they’re crowded, your beets are often smaller and fewer tasty.

Don’t overdo it when thinning though. Leave enough growing beets in order that the plants are 3-4 inches apart, then add some mulch to assist protect the plant and keep it moist. Letting your beet plants dry out maybe a sure-fire thanks to getting an unsatisfying crop.

Shallow beetroots are often disturbed easily so confirm to treat your soil gently while beets are growing. Another important tip is to form sure weeds don’t encroach into space where the beets are planted.

Weeds are never an excellent addition to your garden, but this is often particularly true with beets. Gently remove them without disturbing your plants because left alone, they’re going to crowd root space and steal the nutrients you would like the beets to urge.

GROWING BEETS: HARVEST TIME!

As your beets grow, you’ll harvest a number of the leaves (not quite 50%) for eating. Beet greens are a number of my favorite greens. They’re quite tasty sauteed like spinach or greens.

When they’re about 2 months old or the leaves are over 6 inches, it’s time to reap the roots! Gently grasp your beet plant at the bottom and pull it out of the bottom. you ought to have an ideal round beet!

Never cut the leaves off of them or it’ll cause the juice to seep out. Simply twist the leaves gently until they are available off. Remember, you’ll eat the greens off of the beets, so don’t throw them away.

STORING BEETS

Keep the beets cold within the refrigerator, and that they will last anywhere from 1-3 weeks. If you remove the highest off of the beets, they’re going to last a touch bit longer. you’ll also store your harvest within the basement or another cool, moist, and dark place.

Beets are often canned, pickled, and dehydrated to be used at a later date. Another simple option is to freeze them. you’ll keep beets within the freezer for up to a year—they’ll always be ready for you to enjoy.

HAVE FUN GROWING YOUR OWN BEETS!

Now you recognize the way to grow beets, so you’re all able to start your latest crop! Enjoy your diligence with every juicy, earthy bite you’re taking.

Three Tricks To Growing Perfect Beets

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