You can grow beets for beginners with just a few basic steps that work in most gardens. These root crops rank among the easiest for new gardeners to try. Learning how to grow beets starts with picking the right season and giving plants room to grow nice round roots.
I tested planting times over three seasons and cool weather made all the difference for my harvests. My spring crops in early April and fall crops in late August gave me the best roots every time. Hot summer months caused my beets to bolt and turn bitter before the roots filled out at all.
My first year I skipped thinning and wound up with roots the size of golf balls. The plants were so crowded they choked each other out and none of them grew well. That mistake taught me the most important lesson in this whole process.
Here is something most new gardeners miss about beet seeds. Each seed you plant is not a single seed at all. The rough brown ball holds a cluster of 2-6 tiny seeds packed together inside. This means one spot will sprout multiple plants fighting for the same soil space and water.
Thinning your seedlings is the step that sets good harvests apart from sad ones. Wait until plants reach about 3 inches tall and snip weaker seedlings at soil level with scissors. Leave one strong plant every 3-4 inches along your row. Those thinned greens taste great in salads too so nothing goes to waste.
Start planting beets about 30 days before your last spring frost when soil hits at least 40°F (4°C). Push seeds half an inch deep into loose soil that drains well. Space rows about 12 inches apart to give yourself room to work and weed. Seeds take 7-14 days to sprout based on soil warmth.
Water your beets with about 1 inch per week and keep soil moist but not soggy or waterlogged. Steady moisture stops roots from turning tough and woody inside. It also keeps that earthy flavor mild instead of too strong. Mulch around plants helps hold moisture between waterings and cuts down on weeds.
Your beets should reach harvest size in 50-60 days from planting in most conditions. Pull them when root tops peek above soil and measure about 1.5-2 inches across. Bigger beets often turn woody and lose their sweet taste. This beet growing guide gives you everything you need for a great first crop in your garden.
Read the full article: Growing Beets for Sweet Roots and Greens
