Beetroot is one of the most rewarding vegetables to grow in your garden. These nutritious root vegetables can be grown easily from seed and mature quickly, allowing you to harvest delicious beets in as little as 6-8 weeks. In this article, we’ll look at everything you need to know about how long beetroot takes to grow from seed to harvest.
When to Plant Beet Seeds
Beets are cool weather-loving plants that thrive in soil temperatures between 50-85°F. This makes spring and fall the ideal times to start your beet seeds.
In most climates, you can directly sow beet seeds into your garden 4-6 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. For fall crops, plant seeds 10-12 weeks before your first fall frost. You can continue planting seeds every 2-3 weeks to ensure a continual harvest.
If your soil is still cold in early spring, you may want to start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before transplanting seedlings out into the garden after the danger of frost has passed.
How Long for Beets to Germinate
Once planted beet seeds usually take 5-10 days to germinate and emerge from the soil. Soaking seeds in water for a few hours before planting can help speed up germination.
Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain temperatures between 50-85°F for the fastest germination. Plant seeds 1⁄2 inch deep and 2 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart.
How Long for Beet Seedlings to Grow
After germination, beet seedlings will continue growing rapidly. Thin seedlings when plants reach 2-4 inches tall, leaving plants spaced 3-4 inches apart in rows.
Well-cared for beet plants can reach maturity in as little as 6-8 weeks from seeding However, beets will take longer to mature in cooler temperatures Most varieties take 50-70 days to reach full size.
Factors Affecting Growth Rate
Several factors affect how quickly beetroot will grow from seed to maturity:
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Variety – Early maturing varieties like ‘Red Ace’ and ‘Early Wonder’ reach maturity faster in just 45-55 days. Other beets can take up to 70 days.
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Soil temperature – Beets grow fastest at soil temperatures between 60-75°F. Cooler soil will slow growth.
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Sun exposure – At least 6 hours of direct sun per day results in faster growth.
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Soil conditions – Loose, fertile soil amended with compost encourages good root development.
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Watering – Consistent moisture is key. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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Fertilization – Applying a balanced organic fertilizer when plants are 3-4 weeks old fuels growth.
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Pests/disease – Healthy plants unbothered by pests or disease will reach maturity faster.
How to Tell When Beets Are Ready to Harvest
Beets are ready to harvest once the roots reach maturity. To check if your beets are ready:
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Gently brush away soil and check beet shoulders protruding above ground. Shoulders should be rounded and wide.
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Harvest a test beet and cut it open. Interior color should be vivid and uniform without white rings, indicating maturity.
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Roots should feel firm when squeezed, not spongy. Soft, oversized beets tend to be woody.
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Most varieties reach optimal harvest size of 2-3 inches diameter. Baby beets can be harvested when 1-2 inches wide.
For the sweetest flavor, harvest beets early in the morning. Twist off leaves, leaving an inch of stem attached. Beets store 2-3 weeks refrigerated.
Enjoy an Ongoing Harvest
One of the best things about growing beets is you don’t have to harvest them all at once. You can pick beets as needed and leave the rest to continue maturing.
Staggered plantings every 2-3 weeks ensures you’ll have a continuous supply. Just be sure to water and fertilize plants appropriately to keep them growing vigorously.
With the right care, you can enjoy homegrown beetroot just 6-8 weeks from sowing seeds. So don’t wait – get planting and start harvesting your own tasty beets this season!
Frequency of Entities (summary)
- Beetroot: 19 times
- Beets: 17 times
- Seeds: 11 times
- Grow: 10 times
- Soil: 7 times
- Seedlings: 5 times
- Plant: 5 times
- Harvest: 5 times
- Maturity: 4 times
- Germinate: 3 times
- Frost: 3 times
- Mature: 3 times
- Temperature: 3 times
- Variety: 2 times
- Factors: 1 time
- Conditions: 1 time
- Fertilization: 1 time
- Pests/disease: 1 time
- Ready: 1 time
Harvesting and Storing
- 1 Harvest (some of) your plants. You’ll have a good idea of how big the root is once you can see it. When the beets are about the size of a small orange, they are ready to be picked. If they are too big, they won’t taste as good. To do this, hold the top and use a fork-shaped tool or spade to push the root up. Most of the time, they’re ready 8 weeks after planting, or when the vegetable is 2 5cm (1 inch) in diameter. A lot of people harvest in pairs, taking some beets now and leaving others to grow to full size later. This allows the others to grow bigger more quickly. The ones with a diameter of about 7. 5cm (3 inches) usually have the best flavor.
- 2 Leave some in the soil for the season. You can protect some beetroot that you leave in the ground until next spring if you want to. Cover it in a heavy mulch of hay or straw. This should let you remove the layer of straw and dig up more roots through the winter, as long as it doesn’t get below -18oC/0oF. [7] Keep in mind that this could make the beets feel like wood.
- 3 Be careful with the tops. Don’t cut off the leaves; instead, twist them off about 2 inches (5 cm) above the crown. This will help keep the beet from bleeding, which changes its taste and color. This doesnt mean you should throw them away, however. The tops can be saved, cooked, and eaten like spinach. Believe it or not, they usually have loads of flavour. [8] .
- 4 Store them for later consumption. Root vegetables keep well, so they’re great for stocking up for the winter. Beets can be kept in a frost-free, dry place by putting them in wooden boxes layered with sand. To do this, line the bottom of a container with 2 inches (5 cm) of sand. Place in a layer of beets. Then, repeat until the container is full. They don’t sprout because of the sand, and their flavors stay fresh.
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StepsPart
- 1 Select either seeds or seedlings. These should be easy to find at a garden center or nursery near you. Don’t be afraid of seeds; beetroot is known for being easy to care for. If you plant your beets early, the “Boltardy” variety is best. White and golden types grow in about half the time and don’t bleed in salads, but they don’t have that beautiful carmine color. Besides these factors, the type you pick will depend on the look and taste that you like best. [1] .
- 2 Select a suitable space for growing. Beets like soil that is neutral, moist, and rich in nutrients, but not too acidic or limey (pH 6). 5-7. 0). The soil should be soft and not have too much clay or sand. However, since the roots grow at the surface, a clay soil can be fine as long as a lot of well-rotted organic matter is added to loosen the top (don’t do this if the soil already has a lot of clay). It needs to be in a sunny, open spot, but it can handle some shade. If you remember, use a general granular fertilizer a few weeks before planting and rake it into the soil to let the nutrients soak in. This is best done in late fall or early spring. Advertisement .
- 3 Know that you can also grow beetroot in pots. If you have the round type (which you probably do; the long, cylindrical types aren’t grown very often), a pot that’s at least 20 cm (8in) across and 8in deep will work just fine. Fill the pot all the way to the top with loose, all-purpose compost. The seeds should then be spread out evenly on the ground and 2 cm (0. 75in) of compost. Then, when the seedlings are about 2 cm (an inch) tall, take out the weaker ones to make room for the stronger ones. Aim for about 12 cm (5 inches) of space between each seed.
- 4 Till the soil to prepare it. Clear the area of weeds, other trash, and any stones that could stop root growth. The ground only needs to be tilled to a depth of one spade blade. Level the ground a bit and rake over the top to loosen it up. Late fall is the best time to prepare heavy soil. If its lighter, aim for early spring. [2] If you plant in the fall, leave the soil’s surface rough so that winter can break it down. In the northern hemisphere, sow seeds after the last frost. In the southern hemisphere, sow seeds from September through February.
- 5 Sow the seeds or plant the seedlings. Sow your beetroot seeds 2cm (3/4″-1″) deep. Seeds or seedlings should be at least 10 to 15 cm (4-6″) apart. Itll be easiest to plant them in rows. If you’re planting in a row, plant beets every 14 days for a steady harvest. This is an easy alternative to succession harvesting.
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- 1 Water daily until the leaves begin to sprout. For the seeds to start to grow, they need a lot of water at first. Once the roots are established, they will pull water from the soil. That being said, avoid over-watering. This makes beets grow more leaves and less root, which increases the chance that they will “bolt,” or flower without producing a vegetable. Whats more, under-watering creates woody roots. When it’s dry, only water the sprouts every 10 to 14 days after they’ve been planted. [3] Normal rain should be fine, unless it’s very dry.
- 2 Thin them out. When the first leaves appear on your beetroots, about 2 cm (1 inch), cut off the weakest seedlings and space the rest of the plants at least 10 cm (4 inches) apart. [4] Do not pull them by hand, as this could damage the roots of plants nearby. Some people recommend a bit more space than 10 cm. If you have room, you might want to be a little more kind. [5] Some people also say you should thin them out twice, once now and again when they get a few centimeters taller. This stage is up to you. [6] .
- 3 Fertilise your plants. Add 4–6 liters (1. 1–1. (6 US gal) of full-on organic fertilizer for every 10 square meters of bed Add a thin layer of compost or well-rotted manure. Adding 30g of high nitrogen fertilizer per square meter may also help your plants grow better if they aren’t already If you use too much nitrogen, your plants may grow lots of leaves but not many roots. If the leaves are big and the roots are small, use less fertilizer or switch to a fertilizer with less nitrogen.
- 4 Watch out for birds and weeds. Based on where you live, you might need to come up with a way to protect your plants from animals. Weeds, on the other hand, will need to be pulled out by hand. Get rid of it as soon as you see one coming up. However, be careful weeding. If you use hoes or other sharp tools near the roots, you could cut them. Hand weeding is best.
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How to Grow Beets (From Seed To Harvest)
FAQ
What month is best to plant beetroot?
How long do beets take to grow from seed?
What is the secret to growing beetroot?
How long does it take to grow beets?
Beets are a root crop that takes around three to four months to mature. It is relatively easy to grow the crop, provided you plant it in cultivated, well-drained soil. You can sow them in the tray and transplant them when you see seedlings popping two true leaves. Now, you can take the healthy seedlings and leave behind the weaker ones.
How long does a beetroot seed take to germinate?
Ensure that the seeds are covered with a thin layer of soil to provide darkness and maintain moisture levels. Germination Timeframe: As mentioned earlier, beetroot seeds typically take 7 to 14 days to germinate. However, it’s essential to note that this can vary depending on factors such as soil temperature, moisture levels, and seed quality.
How do beetroot seeds grow?
During the germination period, it’s crucial to provide the optimal conditions for your beetroot seeds to sprout and establish healthy seedlings. Once the seeds have germinated, they will enter the next stage of growth, which is the seedling stage. The seedling stage is the first phase of beetroot growth.
When is the best time to plant beetroot?
The best month to plant beetroot is May because they plant in warm climate weather which start from April. How long does beetroot take to grow from seed to harvest? Beetroot takes 7 to 9 weeks to grow from seed to harvest.
What is the seedling stage of beetroot?
The seedling stage is the first phase of beetroot growth. It begins when the seeds are sown and continues until the first true leaves appear. During this stage, the beetroot seed absorbs water and swells, eventually cracking open to allow the emerging root to push through the soil.
Can you grow beets from seed?
Beets are delicious, whether grated into salads, roasted in oil, boiled, or made into soup (borscht). They’re also really easy and quick to grow from seed. Beets—or “beetroots”—are a colorful, cool-season crop that is easy to grow from seed in well-prepared soil and grows quickly in full sun.