How to Grow Beets from Seed

As a source of both tender greens and brightly coloured, fleshy edible roots, beets are a welcome addition to any garden.

Culture: Beets thrive in rich, sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The best growth and colour formation occurs in the cooler temperatures of late spring and early summer.

For continual harvest, sow seeds 1.2cm (1/2″) deep and 2.5cm (1″) apart in two week intervals beginning when the soil has warmed to 7C (45F) and stopping in mid-July.

Each beet seed is actually a corky fruit with 2 or 3 seeds contained within it. It is important to thin the young seedlings to 7-10cm (3-4″) apart in order to provide enough room for proper root formation. Use the leaves of plants thinned as a source of tender, edible greens.

For top quality roots, maintain even soil moisture as a lack of water leads to woody roots that often split when it rains or when water is applied. Overwatering can lead to excessive leaf growth and pale or small roots.

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