Planting beet seedlings northeast us11/13/2023 ![]() Beets can be grown in a cold frame or protected by a plastic tunnel. Once autumn beets have matured, they can be left in the ground for winter harvest as long as the ground does not freeze. (Look on the seed packet for days to maturity and then count backward from the estimated first frost date in your area.) Where there is no freeze, plant beets in winter. Depending upon the variety allow 50 to 90 days for beets to mature before the first freeze. Direct-sow succession crops every 2 weeks or so after the last frost.īeets can be planted in late summer for an autumn or winter crop.2-4 weeks before the last frost in spring: direct-sow in the garden.6-8 weeks before the last frost in spring: direct-sow in a plastic tunnel or cold frame.Young beet plants can tolerate frost but they will go to seed without making roots if the weather is too cold. For successive crops, plant beets every 10 days. Beets will germinate in the soil as cool as 45✯ (7✬) but will grow best in soil temperature of about 50✯ (10✬). Sow beet seeds as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost. Work compost into the soil before planting beets and side-dress beets with compost at mid-season.īeets planting calendar Planting for spring and summer harvest A lack of moisture will leave beets stringy and tough. In hot weather, beetroots can become woody. Keep the soil around beets moist do not allow the soil to dry out. In a round container, sow the seeds in concentric circles. Sow beets in a container at 8 inches deep. ![]() ![]() Beetroots grow close to the soil surface so they can be grown in containers. Interplanting: Grow beets with bush beans cabbage family crops, corn, leek, lettuce, and radish.Thinned seedlings can be added to salads. Thin seedlings when the plants are a few inches tall and have developed their first true leaves. The seedlings may not emerge at the same time. Seeds generally germinate in 4 to 10 days. Each cluster is smaller than a pea seed and can produce several seedlings. In wide beds or intensive plantings, thin beet seedlings to 3 to 4 inches apart. Sow beet seeds ½ to 1 inch deep in rows 12 to 18 inches apart. Beets prefer alkaline soil over acidic soil, pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Work compost into the soil at planting time. Remove from the planting bed stones and dirt clods or roots that might cause beetroots to become malformed. Beets prefer well-worked, loose soil that is rich in organic matter. Beets will grow in full sun or light shade. Protect the seedlings from pests and cold for two to three weeks after planting covering them with a cloche or plastic tunnel or cold frame. Common pest enemies are aphids and flea beetles.Fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion at half strength.Avoid planting beets where spinach of Swiss chard has grown recently.Grow beets in full sun for best yield-tolerate partial shade.Beets prefer a soil pH range of at least 6.0 but not greater than 7.5.Beets grow best when daytime temperatures are in the 60s☏ (mid-teens Celsius).Make additional sowing at 3-week intervals for a continuous harvest, but time sowing so that the crop does not mature in hot weather.The seeds should germinate in 5 to 8 days at an optimal temperature of 77☏ (25☌) or thereabouts.Adding aged compost to planting beds in advance of sowing will feed the soil and aid moisture retention. To improve germination sow seed at dusk or on a cool, cloudy day.Pre-soaking the seed in water before sowing can aid germination soaking loosens the seed coat which contains a germination-inhibiting chemical.Beet seeds are actually an aggregate of seeds-a seed ball of 2 or 3 individual seeds if germination is complete, the seedlings will have to be thinned.Sow seed 2 inches apart and later thin to 4 inches (5-10 cm) apart for large storage beets, closer if growing for baby beets or greens.Sow seed in shallow trenches ½ (8 mm) inch deep and be sure to heel or stamp the soil firmly in beets often fail to germinate when there is insufficient contact with the soil.If started indoors and transplanted, allow two additional weeks to maturity as a result of root insult at transplanting nip off the long thread tip of the beetroot when transplanting.Beets can be started indoors, but they-like most root crops-are difficult to transplant to the garden with success. Start seeds in the garden about 4 weeks before you expect the last frost.Maincrop: King Red, Ruby Queen, Detroit Dark Redīeet seeds Beets sowing and planting tips Suggested Varieties: Early: Little Egypt, Crosby, Egyptian, Early Wonder.Yield per 100-row feet: 100 pounds (45 kilos).Seeds for 100-row feet: 1 ounce (29 grams). ![]()
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