Beet tops (greens) are an excellent source of vitamin A and provide more minerals and vitamins than the root.This striking, flame-colored beet is the brainchild of breeder Irwin Goldman. A medium sized root has only 50 calories, no fat, and supplies 4% of the daily vitamin C requirement. Beet Nutritionīeets are low in calories and are a good source of vitamin C. of beet roots per 10 linear feet of planted row. Plant 5-10 feet of row per person for fresh use and an additional 10-20 feet for storage or canning. Beets should be harvested before heavy frosts or freezes. Harvest beet leaves when they are 4-6 inches tall. Young leaves may be cooked and eaten as well. Wash and store at 32✯ and 95% relative humidity for 2-4 months. Use a digging fork to loosen soil and pull up needed plants by the tops and trim off leaves. As the roots get larger they tend to get more fibrous. Generally roots are mature 60-80 days from seeding, depending on variety. No known control.īeets can be harvested as soon as the roots begin to size. May affect plant standsĬrop rotation, improved soil drainage, and seed treatments are effective control options.Ĭarried by leafhoppers. More common late in the year.įungal diseases that cause decay and rotting of the root. Occur when foliage remains wet for long periods. Beetles can reduce plant stands or may kill seedlings.Ĭontrol with chemicals at seeding or after seedlings have emerged from the soil.įungal diseases that cause circular spotting on infected leaves. Adults chew tiny holes in cotyledons and leaves. Small black beetles that feed on seedlings. Leave a lacy trail.ĭo not significantly affect yield, but make the leaves less usable. Small white maggots that burrow and feed in the leaves. Boron deficient plants are more susceptible to many of the more common root diseases. Rotate planting locations in the garden from year to year to help control many diseases. Most beets grow rapidly and are not susceptible to many production problems. Avoid cultivation as root pruning and damage will affect growth and yield. Thin closely spaced plants to encourage good root size. Weed control is particularly important during germination and early establishment when plant growth is slow. Problems with Growing Beets Weedsīeets do not compete well with weeds. Black, sunken spots on or in the root generally indicate low boron levels in the soil. Beets require adequate amounts of boron to develop properly. Place the fertilizer to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil. FertilizationĪpply ¼ cup per 10 foot of row of a nitrogen-based fertilizer (21-0-0) 6 weeks after emergence to encourage rapid plant growth. Water stress during the first 6 weeks of growth often leads to premature flowering and low yields. Moisture fluctuations cause root cracking, slow leaf development, and contribute to low yields. Mulching around the plants helps to conserve soil moisture. Seeded beets should be spaced 3-4 inches between plants in the row with rows 12-18 inches apart. Maintain a uniform and moist soil surface to ensure good plant stands. Crusting soils will limit seedling emergence and affect plant stands. Many gardeners plant beets at 2-3 week intervals to maintain a steady supply throughout the year. Beets grow best when temperatures do not exceed 85☏. Temperatures above 80☏ reduce seed germination. Seeds germinate best at 55-75☏ and require 7-14 days to emerge. If you fertilize with compost, apply no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area. If fertilizer applications are warranted, work the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. Soil Preparationīefore planting, determine fertilizer needs with a soil test and then follow the recommendations given with the test report. Heavy soils need to be amended with plenty of compost to allow good root development. Most light soils in Utah are well suited for beet production. How to Grow Beets Soilsīeets prefer fertile, well-drained, deep, sandy soils rich in organic matter for best growth. Beet varieties include Detroit Dark Red, Red Ace, Early Wonder, Green Leaf, and Golden. There are many good beet varieties for sale in local gardening outlets and through seed catalogs. Harvest beets when the roots reach full size. Control insects and diseases throughout the year. Irrigation should be frequent and uniform to ensure good growth. Avoid water or fertilizer stress during growth. Beets taste best when plants have been exposed to several weeks of cool frosty weather. Thin seedling beets to 3 inches apart in the row with rows 12-18 inches apart. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. Beets are cool season vegetables that prefer sunny locations and fertile, deep, well-drained soils.
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