Beet Growing Guide

Beta vulgaris

Crop Rotation Group

Chenopodiaceae (Beet family) ●

Soil

Rich, well drained soil that holds moisture well.

Position

Sun or partial shade.

Frost tolerant

Yes.

Feeding

Rarely required.

Spacing

Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 3" (10cm) with 7" (20cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow in mid-spring, at about the time apple trees bloom. Sow fall crops in mid to late summer. Thin seedlings to at least 5 inches apart to grow large roots.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Each seed is actually a multi-celled capsule, so you may need small scissors to thin plants to proper spacing. Weed carefully, and mulch between plants to deter weeds. Baby beet greens often are included in salad mixes.

Harvesting

Harvest young leaves for salad greens as you thin young plants. Pull roots when they become plump. To keep through winter, harvest plants, cut off the tops, and keep in a cool root cellar or refrigerator.