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Crop Guide – Beets

Common Name Beets
Scientific Name Beta vulgaris

Uses Edible; Steamed, roasted, pickled, grated for salads, cubed (mixed with sweet potatoes), risotto, soups, latkes

Crop Timeline

  • Direct Sow
    • Spring Planting: 4-6 weeks before last frost; sow as early as March 1 (Plan to end harvest season by late June).
    • Fall Planting: 8-10 weeks before first killing frost; sow as late as September 15

Planting tips

  • You may need to trim out 1-5 seedlings as many have up to 6 seeds in the tiny “fruit” that is planted. The easiest way to thin without disturbing the roots is to use scissors and trim at the soil line.
  • Fertilizer: Use a complete organic fertilizer; add blood meal for extra Nitrogen
  • Number of plants per square foot: 9-16

Harvest

  • Harvest 7-8 weeks after sowing.
    • Grasp all the leaves in one hand and pull straight up. 
    • Harvest as young as you like up until tennis ball size. However, don’t leave beets in the ground long after maturity as they will become tough and woody. 

Pests 

  • None of significance

More Information

This crop guide information has been tailored to school garden use, particularly for Plant Hardiness Zone 7. Other resources you find may be different based on efficiencies of larger scale production systems or maximum harvest yield. If you have questions, feel free to contact Doug Vernon or your local Cooperative Extension office.