As a gardener you’re always looking for ways to help your plants thrive. You give them the right soil the perfect amount of sun, and just the right amount of water. But what about giving your plants a nutritional boost with an unconventional fertilizer – beet water?
Beet water may sound strange, but it provides some powerful benefits for plants. In this article we’ll explore why beet water has become a secret weapon that gardeners reach for when they want to take their plants to the next level.
What is Beet Water?
Beet water is exactly what the name implies – it’s the nutrient-rich water left over after boiling beets. Usually a deep red or purple color, beet water contains vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that are beneficial for plants.
Beets are packed with nutrients like:
- Potassium – promotes strong roots and helps plants resist disease
- Magnesium – aids in chlorophyll production
- Phosphorus – encourages blooming and fruiting
- Iron – facilitates photosynthesis
- Vitamin B6 – supports enzymatic reactions
When you boil beets, many of these nutrients leach into the water Let the water cool and you have a homemade fertilizer that provides a nourishing boost for your plants.
Top Reasons to Use Beet Water for Your Plants
Giving your plants a drink of beet water has some surprising benefits:
1. Feeds soil microbes
The sugars and carbohydrates found in beet water act as an excellent source of food for helpful soil microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. These microbes keep your soil healthy and break down nutrients so that your plants can better absorb them. Feeding these beneficial critters gives your overall soil quality a boost.
2. Provides a nutritional boost
We already know that beets themselves contain lots of important nutrients. When you water with beet water, your plants can soak up all of these essential vitamins and minerals. This gives them a potent dose of nourishment.
3. Encourages blooms
If you want more flowers and fruits from your plants, beet water can help. The phosphorus in beet water in particular helps trigger blooming and fruit production. Use it on flowering plants and fruiting vegetables and trees if you want a bountiful harvest.
4. Aids root growth
The potassium found in beet water is especially beneficial for plant roots. It stimulates strong, healthy root development. Plants with robust roots are better able to uptake water and nutrients from the soil.
5. May help repel certain pests
Some gardeners swear that beet water helps repel pests like Japanese beetles. It hasn’t been scientifically proven, but it doesn’t hurt to try it! The worst that can happen is your plants get a dose of nutrients.
6. It’s free!
Unlike many store-bought fertilizers and soil amendments, beet water is totally free. As long as you’ve got some beets, you can reuse the nutrient-filled water after cooking them. Talk about garden hacking!
When and How Often Should You Use Beet Water?
Beet water can be used on most edible and ornamental plants. It provides benefits no matter the time of year.
Most gardeners use beet water every 2-4 weeks to provide a nutritional boost to plants. It can also be used more frequently on seedlings, transplants, or struggling plants that need an extra shot of nutrients.
Some tips on getting the most out of your beet water:
- Use it right away after boiling beets – don’t let it sit around and get stinky.
- Pour or spray it directly on soil to maximize the benefits.
- Alternate applications with your regular fertilizer routine.
- Use it every time you cook beets to take advantage of the “waste.”
In most cases, beet water can simply be poured on the soil around plants. For seedlings and small transplants, you may want to dilute it with regular water to avoid shock.
Test it on a few plants first before going beet water crazy in your whole garden. While it provides nutrients, overuse on some plants can potentially cause overly leafy growth.
Beet Water for Hydroponics and Container Gardens
Beet water isn’t just for in-ground gardening. You can also use it to give your hydroponic and container plants a supercharged feeding.
For hydroponic setups, simply replace some of your regular hydroponic nutrient solution with beet water. Start with a 25% beet water to 75% nutrient solution ratio and work up from there.
Since container gardens have less soil, they’ll benefit from more frequent feedings of beet water. Apply a diluted beet water solution to your potted plants every 2-3 weeks. If they need an extra nutritional boost, use it more frequently.
Just like in traditional gardening, listen to your plants. If they show signs of distress from too much beet water, scale back on applications.
Beet Water for Other Gardening Uses
Aside from using it directly on your plants, beet water has a few other clever uses around the garden:
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Compost starter – The nutrients in beet water feed microbes and beneficial bacteria, so it makes a great compost starter or activator. Pour a bit on new compost piles.
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Soil inoculant – Add a diluted beet water solution to seed starting mix or potting soil to introduce helpful microorganisms.
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Fertilize seedlings – The small amount of nutrients is perfect for delicate seedlings. Use diluted beet water in the watering can.
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Bolster transplant success – Water new transplants with beet water right after planting to reduce shock and feed soil microbes.
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Hydroponics – As mentioned above, replace some nutrient solution with beet water for an added boost.
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Pest repellent – It’s not proven, but some think beet water deters pests. Use it as a foliar spray and soil drench, focusing on frequent applications.
Weird Science – Why Beet Water Works
You may be wondering why this strange purple liquid provides so many benefits for plants. Here’s a quick overview of the science behind beet water:
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Beets contain betalain pigments that leach into the water when boiled. These pigments contain nitrogen which is beneficial for plants.
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The water contains soluble carbohydrates that feed soil microbes which in turn fuel plant growth.
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Beets are high in minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron which all offer nutritional value.
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Natural compounds may deter certain insect pests and diseases, though more research is needed.
The takeaway is that this simple purple water left from cooking beets legitimately provides tangible benefits for your garden!
Potential Drawbacks of Using Beet Water
While beet water has some serious advantages, there are a few potential downsides gardeners should be aware of:
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It has a very low pH and could potentially alter soil pH if overused. Test soil pH occasionally if using a lot of beet water.
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Too much beet water can potentially cause excessive leafy growth in some plants at the expense of blooms and fruit.
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Beets belong to the same family as chard and spinach. Overuse of beet water could increase susceptibility to leaf miners and other pests that target these crops if rotated in the same soil.
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Depending on the ratio of water to beets used, salt content could build up over time with heavy applications.
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It stains! Be prepared for purple drops on walks, patios and other surfaces.
With care and proper application beet water benefits far outweigh the potential issues. Just be aware and keep an eye out for any problems if you use it heavily.
Beet Water vs. Other Fertilizers
How does beet water stack up against commercial and other homemade fertilizers? Here’s a look at how it compares:
Synthetic fertilizer – While synthetics offer control over specific nutrients, beet water provides a wide array of minerals and compounds. Goes farther since it’s free.
Compost tea – Very similar benefits, but beet water doesn’t require brewing. Compost tea still wins for soil building over time.
Manure tea – Manure tea provides more nitrogen and micronutrients. Beet water contains more phosphorus and potassium. And no smells!
Coffee grounds – Grounds add organic matter to soil but don’t contain as wide a range of minerals. But used coffee grounds are still useful for acid-loving plants.
Banana peels – Peels have extra potassium and magnesium. Beet water has more iron and provides many trace elements that peels do not.
Fish emulsion – Fish fertilizer has more nitrogen, but beet water contains added potassium, phosphorus and iron. And many gardeners prefer the non-fishy smell of beets!
Overall, beet water can hold it’s own against many other common homemade and commercial fertilizers. It provides a wide range of proven nutrients and compounds to enhance soil and plant health.
Best Plants for Beet Water Fertilizing
While most edible and ornamental plants will benefit from beet water, some types show the most dramatic positive results:
Flowers
- Roses – More profuse blooms.
- Dahlias – Bigger, brighter flowers.
- Marigolds – Increased flowering for companion planting.
- Zinnias – Sturdier plants and more flowers.
Vegetables
- Root crops like carrots, potatoes, onions and beets – Better root development.
- Tomatoes – More and larger fruits.
- Peppers – Promotes flowering and fruit production.
- Leafy greens like kale, chard and lettuce – Boosts growth and mineral content.
- Broccoli and cauliflower – Aids head production and growth.
Fruiting Plants
- Strawberries and raspberries – More berries per plant.
- Citrus trees – Helps fruit set and development.
- Apple, peach, plum and nut trees – Aids fruit production and quality.
- Blueberries and grapes – Encourages fruiting.
Miscellaneous
- Herbs – Produces stronger flavor.
- Soybeans and other legumes – Aids nitrogen fixation and growth.
- Corn – Boosts vigor and yields.
- Cannabis – Increases flowering sites and yields (where legal).
Try using beet water on your favorites from this list to give them an energizing boost.
Recipes and Techniques for Using Beet Water
Now that you know all the reasons to use beet water in your garden, let’s look at some simple recipes and techniques:
Basic Beet Water
- Place chopped beets in a pot, add water to cover.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer 30 minutes to an hour until beets are tender.
- Remove beets and reserve cooking water.
- Use the cooled beet water as is or dilute up to 3:1 with plain water.
Bonus Batch of Beets
- Roast extra beets in the oven for a bonus batch.
- Add roasted beets to salads or blend into dip.
- Use the vitamin-rich roasting water as a bonus batch of beet water.
Earthbox Beet Water
- Place a handful of chopped beets in the water reservoir of an Earthbox or other self-watering planter.
- Let it steep for a few days, then open the spigot and collect the infused beet water.
- Use this mineral-rich water in your watering can for an extra feeding.
Compost Beet Water Activator
- Mix leftover beet water 50/50 with compost tea or manure tea.
- Pour over new compost piles to feed microbes and speed decomposition.
Beet Water Iron Supplement
- For iron-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries, steep rusty iron nails or screws in beet water for a few days.
- The iron will leach into the water, providing an iron-powered fertilizer.
Get creative with combining beet water with other homemade fertilizers and amendments for a powerful plant elixir!
Frequently Asked Questions About Beet Water for Plants
If this is your first time using this unusual fertilizer, you probably have some questions. Here are some common FAQs:
What kind of beets should I use?
Any type of beet works well, including red beets, golden beets, Chioggia striped beets, and Detroit Dark Red. Mix it up and use any variety you love eating.
Can I mix different colored beet water together?
Absolutely! The nutrients will blend together for an interesting mosaic colored beet water.
What should I do with the boiled beets?
Reserve the beets after boiling and use them any way you normally would. Roast them, use in salads, blend into dips, etc. Don’t waste them!
How long does beet water keep?
Use your beet water within 2-3 days for the best nutrient content. It will start to get stinky if stored too long.
Can I pour beet water directly on plants?
Yes, but dilute it at least 50/50 with plain water for direct application to avoid burning plants with the concentrated nutrients and pigments.
Can I use beet water on leafy greens I plan to eat?
We don’t recommend pouring onto plants right before harvest. But if used occasionally early in development it should not cause any issues. Rinse leaves well!
Have another beet water question? Don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!
Give Beet Water a Try in Your Garden
As you can see, giving your plants a drink of beet water is beneficial in so many ways! It feeds microbes, provides a wealth of nutrients, powers growth and fruiting, and helps your plants resist disease and pests.
Best of all, this unusual purple fertilizer is free and couldn’t be easier to make from beets you already have on hand. Talk about garden hacking at its finest!
Next time you cook up a batch of beets, don’t toss that beautiful purple water down the drain. Cool it, dilute it, and use it to take your vegetable garden, flower beds, fruit trees, and container plants to the next level.
Once you see the amazing results, you’ll be hooked on this unconventional fertilizer. Don’t be shy – embrace the power of the beet! Your plants will thank you.
So give beet water a try this season and watch your plants thrive. And please share your experiences in the comments below. Happy growing!