How to grow Beet & Beetroot?
- Latin Family: Amaranthaceae
- Latin Genus: Beta
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Biennial
Over the years the beet has been used to produce several crops for quite different purposes. The best-known use is as human food, either for its leaves (as chard), or for the edible root. It is also commonly grown in Northern Europe for winter animal feed. It's most important commercial use is as a source of sugar in the form of Sugar Beet (which may contain up to 20% sugar).
Beet & Beetroot History
Until the 1800s, beets were referred to as blood turnips because of their red turnip-like roots. The round and flat-bottomed beets of today are an improved form.
Beets have been used as food for humans and livestock since the time of the Romans. They are particularly useful as a garden crop because they produce both edible roots and leaves.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 6.0 - 8.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.4 - 6.6
Beets do well in most soils, but the ideal is loose, sandy, well drained and close to [neutral] (they dislike acid soils). It should be quite fertile as continuous uninterrupted growth is necessary to produce good roots. If the soil is poor, growth will be irregular and the roots will show concentric growth rings (zoning).
How to care for Beet & Beetroot?
Beets should grow quickly for the sweetest and most tender roots. They can only do this if they get everything they need, when they need it.
Water
Consistent watering is essential for good root production. Beets grown without sufficient water may have tough, woody roots and show concentric whitish zoning. They may also bolt prematurely. Too much water may result in bushy, luxuriant tops and small roots. Irregular watering may cause splitting.
Fertilizer
Beets aren't very hungry plants, though they do like phosphorus and potassium.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 3 - 5 years
Germination Percentage: 60.0
Beets are cross-pollinated by the wind, so must be isolated from other varieties (and from chard). This means having only one variety flowering at one time within a distance 1/4 mile for home use. For pure seed isolate by a minimum of 1/2 to 1 mile. Crosses with chard.
Beet is a biennial, which means the root has to survive the winter before it can produce seed. In mild climates you can simply leave them in the ground (cover with mulch if necessary). In colder climates you may have to lift the roots and store them in a root cellar as described above. Replant the best roots in spring and the seed will ripen by midsummer. A flowering beet plant may get to be 8 feet tall and can be quite top heavy, so is often staked to prevent it falling over.
You will get a lot of seed from one plant, let alone 5 plants, which is the minimum number required to maintain some genetic variability.
Light
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
The plants need full sun for best growth, especially when they are growing as a fall or winter crop.
Conditions:Cool
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Part shade
In very hot climates they may do well in light shade.
Conditions:Warm
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
In mild climates the roots are best left in the ground, where they will grow slowly all winter. In colder climates they can be stored in the ground, if covered with a thick mulch to keep the ground from freezing.
Storage Req: Ground
Storage Temp: 32-45°F
Storage Length: days
In very cold climates they are usually dug and stored in the root cellar (or something similar) in a box of damp sand or sawdust. If stored at 32 to 40˚ F and 90%+ humidity, they will last for 4 to 6 months.
Storage Req: Cool, Moist
Storage Temp: 32-40°F
Storage Length: 180 days
To prevent moisture loss from the root, cut off the leaves to within an inch or two of the root. Don’t cut too close to the crown as this may cause them to bleed. If you want to store them, leave the long stringy root tips in place and don’t wash them.
The roots can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge, for several weeks.
Storage Req: Refrigerator
Storage Temp: 35-40°F
Storage Length: 14-28 days
Problems
Leafminers
The only significant pests you are likely to encounter are [Leaf Miners]. As you don’t normally grow them for their leaves, this is only a problem if they get out of hand and destroy all of the leaves. You can crush them in the leaf and scrape off the white egg clusters, but it’s easier to use [row covers].
Possible deficiencies
Calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and boron. However none of these are likely if the soil has plenty of compost and the pH is fairly neutral. [For more information:Soil pH#The Right pH for your Soil]
Exposed shoulders
The rounded shoulders of the root commonly stick out of the soil, exposed to the elements and this can result in cracking and woodiness. Cylindrical varieties are particularly prone to this. It can be prevented by earthing up with soil, or using mulch. A good leaf canopy also helps.
Beet & Beetroot Types
- Round Red
- Specialty
- Long
These globe shaped varieties are the beets most often seen in stores. They are a fast growing crop under good growing conditions.
These golden and colorful beets are a nice contrast to the traditional red beets, and don't bleed when you cut them.
These Long Beets store well are easier to slice. They are a fast growing crop under good growing conditions. Fodder beets are significantly larger than other beet varieties.
Long Beets don't need to be sown at deeper depth, but they will need good deep soil compared to Round Red or Specialty varieties. If a hard bedrock is close to your topsoil consider a shorter type of beet.
Pests
- Flea Beetle
- Birds
- Blister Beetle
- Lace Bug
- Leafhoppers
- Aphids
- Carrot Beetle
- Japanese Beetle
- Armyworms
- Leafminers
- Slugs and snails
- Groundhog
- Rabbits
- Rats and Mice
- Deer
Diseases
- Curly Top
- Curly Top
- Curly Top
- Boron
- Scab
- Fusarium Wilt
- Cercospora Leaf Spot
- Cercospora Leaf Spot
- Cercospora Leaf Spot
- Damping Off
- Downy Mildew
- Powdery Mildew
- Powdery Mildew
- Powdery Mildew
Related Plants
Jicama
Celeriac / Celery Root
Radish
Salsify & Scorzo
Shallot
Rutabaga
Garlic
Finocchio
Leek
Turnip