Have you ever tried growing beets at home? You should! They taste great, don’t take up much room, are healthy, and are simple to grow. It’s now the end of May and my beetroot is ready to harvest. Because there are many of them, I can just pull out the ones that are ready and let the others grow a little more. Let’s look at how you can grow more beetroot in the same space with less effort.
As any gardener knows, patience is a virtue when it comes to plants. This is especially true when starting veggies like beets from seed Waiting for those tiny seeds to sprout and emerge can feel like an eternity
But exactly how long does it take for beet seeds to germinate and push through the soil? Read on for a complete guide to beet seed starting, including tips to speed up germination
Understanding Beet Seed Biology
To understand beet germination, it helps to know a bit about the seeds themselves:
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A beet “seed” is actually a fruit containing a cluster of 2-4 individual seeds.
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Each tiny true seed is enclosed in a hard outer shell, or testa. This protects the embryo inside.
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In order for the inner seeds to germinate, the outer shell must absorb water and soften enough for the embryos to emerge.
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Beet seeds contain inhibitors that prevent premature sprouting. These inhibitors break down over time when exposed to moisture.
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Temperature, soil moisture, seed age, and planting depth all impact how fast seeds will germinate.
Knowing how beet seeds are biologically programmed gives you insight into the germination process. Next let’s look at optimal conditions.
Ideal Conditions for Beet Seed Germination
While beet seeds can sprout in cool soil, germination happens fastest when conditions are just right:
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Soil temperature – Ideal range is 70-85°F. Beets can germinate at temps as low as 40°F but more slowly.
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Soil moisture – Keep soil damp but not soggy. Don’t let it dry out completely.
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Planting depth – Sow seeds 1/2″ deep. Don’t bury too deeply.
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Seed age – Fresh seed less than 1 year old has higher germination rates.
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Pre-treatment – No special pre-sowing treatment needed.
Paying attention to these key factors helps ensure a good stand of seedlings.
Typical Beet Seed Germination Timeline
Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of the germination timeline you can expect:
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Days 1-3: The seed coat absorbs water and begins to soften. Root embryo starts to grow and absorb water. No visible sprouting yet.
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Days 4-6: Seed coat splits open. Root tip emerges and starts pushing down into soil. First leaf shoots appear.
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Days 7-10: Seedlings establish anchor roots and first true leaves expand. Thinning should be done once seedlings reach this stage.
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Days 10-14: Seedlings continue growing new leaves. Thin again if needed to final spacing.
If conditions are ideal, most beet seeds will complete germination within 7-10 days. But it can take up to 2 weeks for more reluctant seeds to sprout.
Tricks to Speed Up Beet Seed Germination
If your beet seeds are dragging their feet, there are a few tricks to spur faster sprouting:
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Start seeds indoors at 75°F for quicker germination before transplanting outside.
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Use bottom heat, such as a heat mat, to warm the soil 10-15°F above room temperature.
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Cover seed beds with plastic sheeting to capture heat. Remove once sprouts push through soil.
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Massage seeds gently with fine sandpaper to carefully nick the seed coat before planting.
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Soak seeds in room temperature clean water for 24 hours prior to planting. Drain well before sowing.
With the right care and treatment, you can shrink that long wait for sprouting into just 5-7 days.
Caring for Beet Seedlings
Once those little sprouts emerge, your work has just begun. Here’s how to ensure healthy seedlings:
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Water regularly, about 1″ per week, to keep soil consistently moist.
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Thin overcrowded beet seedlings to 1-3″ apart when plants are an inch tall.
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Weed carefully to prevent competition. Beets grow slowly at first.
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Use row cover to protect from late frosts and pests. Remove once plants are 3-4″ tall.
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Side dress with a balanced fertilizer when seedlings are 4-6 weeks old to fuel growth.
Giving beet seedlings a strong start helps maximize later root development and harvests.
Harboring Realistic Expectations
Understanding the beet seed germination process prevents anxious digging to check for sprouts or premature re-sowing.
Remember that germination can take 10-14 days and varies by conditions and seed age. Relax, keep sowing areas moist, and let nature take its course.
With the right planting methods and a bit of patience, those tiny seeds will soon emerge and reward you with a bountiful beet harvest in a couple months’ time.
The next time you sow beet seeds, refer back to this guide for a realistic picture of the germination timeline. Knowing what to expect takes the guesswork and frustration out of starting beets from seed. Before you know it, you’ll spy the first sprouts pushing up from the soil!
How to sow in a module tray (more harvest)
Starting beetroot in a module tray results in more harvest with less effort. Get a module tray with 4cm (1.75in) cells and plant three to four seeds about 1cm deep in each one. For your compost mix use 3 parts compost, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part play sand. Once they germinate, thin them out to three to four plants per cell. Seedlings ready for transplating.
If you start your beetroot in module trays you will need to transplant them. They can be translated as rather small, when the true leaves are about 2-3cm (1in) in length. (picture Seedlings ready for transplanting).
Make a hole with a dibber and drop the clumps in, leaving 20 cm (8 in) between each one.
You now have three to four beets growing where you would normally only grow one!
When To Start beetroot
Now, beets can be planted outside without protection from late March to early July (our last frost date is May 15th), but you can start them inside or cover them with fleece as early as the end of February for a longer growing season.
I did notice a faster harvest when starting inside. This is mainly due to the germination time. Starting beetroot in perfect conditions results in the germination of about 4 days compared to 14 days.
Sowing beetroot can be done in two ways. Plant them directly or in a seed or module tray. When they get big enough, move them to the ground. I prefer the latter.
Growing Beets, From Seed to Harvest
FAQ
Why are my beetroot seeds not germinating?
How long does it take beetroot to grow from seed?
Should beetroot seeds be soaked before planting?
How do you germinate beet seeds?
Here’s everything you need to know: Start with fresh beet seeds The first step to successful beet seed germination is to start with fresh, high-quality seeds. Old seeds or seeds that have been improperly stored may not germinate as well or may not germinate at all.
How long does it take for beets to flower?
Beet flowering. Seed formation may take another 6-10 weeks and seed set may take another several weeks. Beets are a biennial crop, so seed production must take into account a two-year reproductive cycle. Beets prefer relatively dry climates with cool to moderate summer temperatures.
How long does it take for beets to grow?
Seed formation will begin 6-10 weeks after flower stalk initiation and mature seed may take another several weeks. Figure 1. Beet flowering. Seed formation may take another 6-10 weeks and seed set may take another several weeks.
Can you grow beets from seed?
Growing beets is also easy and they are a crop that can be planted multiple times a year. Growing beets from seed is a rewarding experience that can yield a bountiful harvest of these delicious and nutritious root vegetables. However, to get started, you need to know how to germinate beet seeds properly. Here’s everything you need to know: