We love to grow beets because they’re full of vitamins, and the entire plant can be eaten. The greens from beets are great in salad mixes, and the roots are a sweet, earthy addition to a vegetable juice.
How to Grow:
Beets are a cool weather crop that will grow well when planted 4-6 weeks before your last spring frost and 10 weeks before your last fall frost. You can see specific dates for your location using our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web App.
Beet seeds are planted 1/2 inch deep, 9 per square foot, in full sun to part shade. Take care to notice what plants are around the area as well, see the companion plant section below. Beets will sprout within approximately 5-10 days with moderate and even moisture.
Companion Plants:
Companion planting is a vital part of organic gardening. Companion plants assist in the growth of others by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, or providing nutrients, shade, or support. There are also plants that do not like being next to each other. Some plants get too tall and can provide too much shade for your plant. Sometimes certain plants attract the same pests, so it is important to try and separate these.
| Good | Bad | |
| Asparagus | Lettuce | Pole Beans |
| Broccoli | Marigolds | Tomatoes (Bush & Vine) |
| Bush Beans | Marjoram | Turnips |
| Cabbage | Onions | |
| Carrots | Oregano | |
| Catnip | Potatoes | |
| Cauliflower | Radish | |
| Chamomile | Swiss Chard | |
| Kale | Tarragon | |
| Kohlrabi | ||
See companion plants for 80+ foods in our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web app!
Pests:
Pests can be one of the most difficult challenges you face in the garden. We strive to grow food without the use of pesticide and luckily there are natural solutions for most of these nasty pests! The pests listed below are common ones for beets:
- Aphids
- Cabbage Loopers
- Cutworms
- Deer
- Flea Beetles
- Groundhogs/Woodchucks
- Leaf Miners
- Mexican Bean Beetles
- Rabbits
- Slugs/Snails
- Voles (Field Mice)
- Wireworms
Learn more about how to manage pests and attract beneficial insects in our FREE iOS, Android, and Universal Web App!
Harvesting:
Beets will be ready to harvest within 50-70 days after sprouting. For the best flavor, ideal harvesting time would be once the root is about 1.5 to 2 inches. You can check the size by simply feeling around in the soil with your fingers. You can also harvest the leaves, and they make a wonderful addition to salads! Just be sure not to take more than 2 leaves from each plant to keep it healthy.
Cooking & Eating!
Learn more about growing over 80 different foods, including how to manage various pests in our FREE iOS, Android, or new Universal Web App!
Carrie Spoonemore, co-founder of “From Seed to Spoon,” stands as a beacon of inspiration for gardeners and health enthusiasts alike. Her journey alongside her husband, Dale Spoonemore, in creating a platform that demystifies gardening and promotes a healthier lifestyle, has made a significant impact on individuals around the globe. Through the “From Seed to Spoon” app, Carrie has dedicated herself to empowering people to take control of their health and environment by growing their own food.
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In addition to gardening advice, Carrie’s contributions to the blog include insights into the use of technology to enhance the gardening experience. She has played a crucial role in designing the “From Seed to Spoon” app to be user-friendly, ensuring that users of all ages and backgrounds can navigate the complexities of gardening with ease. Her vision for the app is not just as a gardening tool but as a vehicle for change, inspiring individuals to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle by growing their own food.
Carrie Spoonemore’s presence on the blog is marked by her compassionate approach to teaching and her unwavering belief in the transformative power of gardening. Her work continues to inspire a community of gardeners to pursue a healthier, more sustainable way of living, proving that with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can become a gardener and advocate for their health and the planet.
10 thoughts on “Beets: How to Grow and When to Plant in Your Backyard or Patio Garden!”
Beets take some careful scheduling here because of the warm and dry summer weather, but otherwise, they grow remarkably well. I pickle about half of what I grow!