How To Grow Beets

Texas is a great place for growing beets in the spring. It is, however, much better to grow them in the fall. Beets grown in the fall are sweeter and softer than those grown in the spring. They thrive in cold weather, surviving light freezes and frosts to about 20 degrees F. So you can grow them through the mild winter and into February. From seed, they mature in about 60 days, and while they're maturing, you can harvest their greens and eat the baby beetroots. Alternatively, you can wait until they mature and harvest them when they reach about tennis ball size. This article will cover growing, harvesting, and cooking with beets.

A Delicious Super Food

Beets are unmatched in versatility and nutritional value. These nutrient-dense "superfoods" can be prepared in various ways.

For Your Health

The roots and leaves of beets are excellent sources of fiber, folate, vitamins A and K, manganese, copper, potassium, and nitrates. Additionally, they contain anti-inflammatories and antioxidants that may prevent certain types of cancer. By improving oxygen uptake, beets are also believed to enhance athletic performance.

Best Varieties for Texas

Detroit Dark Red: A highly sought-after heirloom variety ideal for individuals seeking both greens and roots for consumption. These 2-½ – 3 inch vibrant, deep crimson beets are tender and delicious, and unlike smaller varieties, they do not become woody when allowed to grow larger. They are perfect for pickling and roasting and can even be used raw in salads! The greens are just as tender and flavorful as chard and spinach and highly nutritious.

Bull's Blood: Bull's Blood has beautiful, deep burgundy-red leaf tops and dark red, tender roots. Its taste rivals that of chard and spinach for delectability and nutritional content.

Early Wonder: Since 1911, Early Wonder has provided bountiful greens, flavorful beets, and early yields. Ideal for mild climates allowing multiple crops. The 18-inch greens are exceptionally delicious.

Gourmet Blend: Gourmet Blend combines three prominent heirloom varieties: Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia, and Golden. Together, they create a rainbow of jewel-toned colors that look stunning in salads and side dishes.

Touchstone Gold: Golden beets' unique color and flavor make them sweeter and less earthy than red beets. When grown alongside red, white, and candy-striped beets, they create a colorful harvest. They have better germination and performance compared to other golden cultivars. They are best when they are 1 to 3 inches round.

When to Plant

The best time to grow beets in Texas is in the fall and winter when temperatures are between 75 and 40 degrees F. They can even tolerate lows of 20 degrees F.

It is recommended to start beets from seed by sowing them directly into the ground or a large container. Beet seeds are dried fruits with 1 to 5 seeds in each, so you must thin them out as they grow.

Transplanting is not advised until the foliage of the beets reaches about 2 inches in height.

Begin seeding in early September and space out your crop using succession planting, with 20 days between plantings to minimize the risk of losing everything due to severe weather or insect problems.

For spring planting, start your seeds in late January to early February. Stop planting when temperatures warm to 75 degrees F. Remember that warm weather will cause them to bolt, so consider planting bolt-resistant varieties in the spring.

Soaking Beet Seeds

Soaking beet seeds for an hour or overnight in warm (not hot!) water before planting can speed up the germination process. Not only can it help speed up germination, but it may also help prevent soil rot and seed maggot problems in cool spring soil.

Where and How To Plant

Plant beets in an area with full sun (6+ hours per day) and loose, well-composted soil or in raised beds.

TIP: Beet greens can add a splash of color to flowerbeds and container gardens. Consider mixing them in to showcase their vibrant green leaves and striking purple veins. Sure, please see the revised text below:

• Ensure that the area has proper drainage to prevent the roots from becoming overly saturated.
• Beets have deep roots that can reach depths of 36 to 48 inches, so avoid planting them in areas where they will have to compete with tree roots.
• If you are planting in rows, sow the seeds ½-inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart in rows that are approximately 1 foot apart.
• After sowing, cover the seeds with soil and gently tamp it down with your hand or a rake.
• Keep the seeds moist until an adequate root system has developed.

TIP: Beet greens can add a splash of color to flowerbeds and container gardens. Consider mixing them in to showcase their vibrant green leaves and striking purple veins.

Companion Planting with Beets

Some of the best companion plants for beets are members of the cabbage family. Plant beets near cruciferous vegetables like kohlrabi, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts to help enrich the soil and improve the quality and growth of your Brassicas.

Do not plant beets near pole beans, field mustard, and charlock if at all possible.

Care and Maintenance

• Water to a depth of about 1 to 2 inches about once a week.
• Thin when they reach about 2 inches high by pinching them off. Pulling them out of the ground may disturb the roots of nearby seedlings.
• Established plants should be thinned to 3 to 4 inches between plants.
• After you've thinned out your plants, mulch them to help keep weeds out. Any necessary cultivation should be gentle so as not to disturb the roots.
• Fertilize your beets about once every two weeks with a balanced vegetable fertilizer.

Pests

Beets are quite resilient and generally don't encounter significant pest problems. However, it's important to be on the lookout for the following types of insect damage, and if necessary, use organic products to address them:

1. Aphids: These small insects cluster on the greens and feed on the plant's juices. They can be black, yellow, white, or orange. They can be effectively managed with Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap.

2. Flea beetles: These tiny insects create small holes in the plant's leaves, almost resembling hole punches. They can be controlled with Neem Oil or Triple Action.

3. Worms: Beet armyworms and webworms are actually caterpillars, not worms. Caterpillars can be addressed with BT (bacillus thuringiensis) or Natural Guard Spinosad. Both products specifically target caterpillars and won't harm beneficial insects such as ladybugs or earthworms.

Additionally, 70% Neem Oil is an effective organic insecticide, fungicide, and miticide suitable for general use.

Diseases

It's important to be aware of the potential issues when growing beets. One common problem is root rot due to overwatering and inadequate drainage. Ensure that the soil is allowed to dry to a depth of about 1 inch before watering. Additionally, fungal problems can arise in moist, cloudy conditions. Treating this with Neem Oil or Monterey Disease Control can be effective.

How to Harvest Beets

Harvest greens at any time while the plant is still in the ground by carefully snipping off a few leaves from each plant. Avoid clipping too many off at once to allow the plant to regenerate its foliage.

Storing and Preserving Beets

The two most popular ways to store beets is freezing or canning.

Raw beets can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. For longer-term storage, keep them in a cool, dark, and humid cabinet.

More Gardening Help

 If you're looking for even more detailed information, check out our gardening section of the website. If you still have questions about planting, growing, and harvesting radishes, let me know in the comments section below or contact me through our private Facebook group.

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