How to Grow Beetroot Without Seeds: The Complete Guide for Beginner Gardeners

As an avid gardener and beet lover, I was thrilled when I discovered it’s possible to grow beetroot without needing to buy seeds! This method allows you to easily propagate new beet plants using just a few basic supplies. In this complete guide, I’ll walk through the simple steps to grow beetroot from vegetable scraps. No special skills required – just a bit of patience as you watch your beet greens transform into vibrant, edible roots.

An Overview of Growing Beetroot from Kitchen Scraps

The key to growing beetroot without seeds is understanding how beets naturally reproduce. Beets are biennial plants meaning they take two growing seasons to complete their lifecycle. In the first year, the plant produces edible leaves and roots. Then in the second year, it forms flowers and seeds before dying back.

By mimicking this natural growth cycle we can trigger the beet plant to sprout new roots and leaves without ever flowering or going to seed. The basic process is

1. Save beetroot scraps from the kitchen
2. Place them in water to encourage sprouting
3. Transplant the sprouted beetroot tops into soil
4. Allow them to grow into full-sized, productive beet plants

It may sound too simple to work, but with a little TLC, you can enjoy a steady harvest of homegrown beets using this method No seed packets required!

Step 1: Collecting and Storing Beetroot Kitchen Scraps

The first step is gathering up some leftover beetroot parts after cooking. You’ll want to collect:

• Beet greens – the leafy tops are ideal for propagating new beetroot. Only use healthy, fresh looking leaves.

• Beetroot crown – this is the top 1-2 inches of the beetroot, where the leaves connect to the root. The crown contains growth nodes that will readily sprout.

• Beetroot stumps – the small cluster of leaves left on the beet after greens are removed. Stumps left on young beets often regrow in the garden.

Try to use organic beets if possible, since pesticide residue could hinder growth. Store the beet scraps in a plastic bag or container in the refrigerator until ready to propagate. Use within 5-7 days for best freshness.

I like to save my beet parts whenever I roast or cook up a batch of beets. A few beetroot crowns and tops quickly accumulate in the veggie drawer for my next growing project.

Step 2: Sprouting Beets in Water

Once you’ve gathered some beetroot scraps, it’s time to encourage them to sprout. Place the tops, crowns, and stumps in a glass jar or shallow container filled with about 1 inch of clean water.

Leave the cut surface submerged in water, while keeping the leaves above the water line. Set the jar on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light. Replace the water every 2-3 days to prevent rotting.

Within 7-12 days, you should notice little white roots emerging from the cut surface underwater. Soon after, the leaves will begin sending up tender new growth. Once sprouts are 2-3 inches long, the beet greens are ready for transplanting.

Step 3: Transplanting into Soil

Now the fun part – moving your beet root sprouts into soil! Start by filling starter pots or trays with a light, fertile potting mix. Gently loosen the delicate white roots from the cut beet base. Be careful not to break off the emerging sprouts.

Bury the beet crown or stump about 1 inch deep in the potting soil. Pat the mix gently around the plant. Make sure the tender white roots are fully covered while the sprouted leaves remain above the surface.

Water well and place in a sunny spot or under grow lights. In about 2 weeks, the transplants will establish a vigorous root system and show healthy green tops. Time to move them into the garden!

Step 4: Growing On to Mature Roots

Once beet sprouts have a wellestablished root system, they can be moved into the garden. Prepare a planting bed in full sun with enriched, loose soil. Space transplants 4-6 inches apart in all directions. Water thoroughly after planting.

Continue to keep soil moist as the beets grow. In 55-75 days, use a garden fork to gently loosen the soil and check beetroot size. Harvest any large roots, while allowing smaller ones more time to reach full size. Beets left to grow past maturity can become woody, so don’t leave them in the ground too long.

With proper care, beet transplants will produce an abundant harvest within about 2 months. And you can use their leafy tops to propagate the next generation of beetroot!

Tips for the Best Success Growing Beetroot from Scraps

• Choose the freshest, healthiest beetroot parts to start cuttings – avoid old, wilted greens.

• Change the water every 2-3 days while sprouting to prevent fungal diseases.

• Transplant sprouts when the roots are 2-3 inches long – any longer and they become fragile.

• Keep soil consistently moist after transplanting into the garden. Beets need steady water.

• Harvest beets before they exceed 3 inches diameter to maintain tender texture.

• Time plantings in summer for a fall crop, or fall for spring beets. Avoid hot midsummer weather.

• Loosen and enrich soil with compost before planting for smooth, well-shaped roots.

Follow these simple instructions for growing beetroots without seeds, and you’ll enjoy bountiful, beautiful beets. This method lets you turn kitchen scraps into productive new plants. With a little practice, you can keep the harvest going year after year – all from a few market bought beets!