How to Grow Beets

Beets have a bad reputation in the garden because they are susceptible to disease and insect pests. The secret to successful beet growing is planting the seeds at the right time. Beet seeds are planted when the soil temperature is 40 degrees F and on a slow warming trend. This is as soon as the ground can be worked in places where the ground freezes and in mid January-February everywhere else. A rule of thumb for planting beets is to plant outdoors 3 weeks before your last average frost date. Sow every 2 weeks for 6 weeks to get a good supply of beets for spring.

Beets like rich deep garden soil. The deeper the roots can grow, the better. Beet roots can reach 3 feet deep, but 18 inches is about average. If you have clay soil, you'll need to break up the clay to a depth of two feet and add lots of compost until the soil texture is light and loose. Don't step on the soil after it is amended or you'll be back to where you started. When fertilizing your beet growing area in preparation for planting, use a granulated organic fertilizer that release nutrients slowly into the soil. The optimal Ph for beets is 6.5-7.5.

Beet seeds aren't actually a seed but a dried fruit that contains as many as 8 seeds. Plant beet seeds one-half inch deep and one-inch apart.

When they start to sprout they need to be thinned. Instead of pulling out the small beet plants and disturbing the clump, simply trim the ones you want to remove at ground level with a sharp pair of scissors. Save the baby sprouts and put them in a salad. Ultimately, the beet plants should be spaced at least 3 inches apart. Don't be afraid of thinning, or cutting, if you want pretty beets.

Harvest beets when they are 3 inches in diameter for table use. The greens can be eaten fresh or cooked like their cousin, Swiss chard. Twist off the top green growth and leave a one inch stub to prevent moisture loss if storing in the refrigerator or root cellar for up to six weeks. Don't forget to scrub off the dirt and let them dry out completely before placing in storage.

My favorite way to eat beets is to place them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes until they are barely soft to the touch. Then I take them out, rinse in cool water and drain. The rough skin slips off easily and then they can be sliced for a salad or served as a side dish.