Beets

Like few other vegetables, nearly the entire beet plant can be eaten—below-ground bulbs and above-ground foliage. Bumpy, brown seeds are actually a cluster of several seeds that germinate in a clump. A good crop depends on careful thinning and transplanting crowded seedlings into fertile, amended soil.

Types of Beets

Select beet seeds for color of the mature bulb: red, golden or yellow, or red & white striped (Chioggia), all available in many named varieties.
Check seed packets for length of time to maturity. Some varieties mature faster than others.

Sowing and Thinning

Amend clay or sandy soil with compost; opt for raised beds in excessively heavy clay.
Follow package directions when sowing, in furrows ½ in. deep, 1-2 in. apart and rows 12-18 in. apart.
Thin 2-in. tall seedlings to 1-2 in. spacing, then 3-4 in. as they grow. Transplant all seedlings for a large crop or snip thinnings to use in salads.
Plant from March-August, although some gardeners have success as early as January and as late as September for harvest in 2 or more months. Bulbs will not form in cold weather.
Avoid succession plantings in the high heat of summer inland, but continue in moderate microclimates.
Keep in mind that beets are considered a cool-weather crop even though they may be grown in the warm-season.

Care and Harvesting

Monitor air temperatures. Long cool spells (below 50 degrees) may cause seed stalks to develop before beets mature. Floating fabric row covers may offer protection from cold.
Keep beds weed-free with a 2-4 in. layer of compost or mulch.
Irrigate when soil is dry about 1-2 in. below the surface.
Pull young beets before they reach full size for baby beets.
Pull beets 2 in. in diameter for best quality.
Leave 1-2 in. of stems when cutting tops off beets to prevent bleeding or loss of moisture.
Beets may be left in the ground after they mature and harvested as needed if they are not overwatered.

Additional Information

Sonoma County Master Gardener Vegetable Planting Summary.
https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Food_Gardening_with_Less_Water/
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/beet/index.html
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/beet/cultural-tips/

February 2022