How to Plant Beets

Beets are a reliable, fast-growing root vegetable that thrive in cooler seasons and are ideal for beginner gardeners. Known for their earthy flavour and vibrant colour, they grow well in the ground, in raised beds or in containers. With the right preparation, beets can provide a continuous harvest of roots and nutritious leafy tops. The process starts with choosing the right variety, preparing the soil and understanding the right time and technique for sowing.

Getting Started

Beets grow best in full sun and prefer cooler conditions, making them a good choice for spring and autumn planting. They are typically grown from seed, which is actually a cluster of seeds in a single dried casing. This means more than one seedling may emerge from each one, and thinning will be necessary. Beets do not transplant well, so direct sowing into the soil is the most effective approach. The key to success is a loose, well-drained soil and regular, even watering.

How Many Varieties Are There

There are dozens of beet varieties, each with unique traits. Traditional deep red types like ‘Boltardy’ are popular in the UK for their reliability and flavour. Golden varieties, such as ‘Burpee’s Golden’, offer a milder taste and don’t stain as much. Striped types like ‘Chioggia’ are visually striking and slightly sweeter. Leaf beet or beet spinach varieties are grown more for their leafy tops than their roots, but are still part of the same family.

Choosing Which Variety

When choosing a variety, consider your growing goals. If you're after reliable root production, go with an established variety like ‘Detroit Dark Red’ or ‘Boltardy’. For a visual twist or a sweeter flavour, golden or striped types are a good alternative. If your interest lies more in harvesting nutrient-rich leaves for salads or cooking, go with a variety bred for leafy growth. Many gardeners grow a mix to enjoy the different colours and textures throughout the season.

Preparing the Ground

Beets prefer loose, fine soil free from stones and compacted clumps. Dig over the soil to remove debris and improve drainage. Mix in well-rotted compost or garden compost before sowing to enrich the soil without making it too rich in nitrogen, which can encourage leaf growth at the expense of roots. Avoid fresh manure, which can cause root forking. A neutral to slightly alkaline soil is best, so test and adjust the pH if needed.

Sowing

Direct sowing works best for beets. Sow seeds thinly in shallow drills about 2 cm deep, spacing the rows around 30 cm apart. In each row, space seeds 10 cm apart to give room for roots to develop. Because each beet seed cluster can sprout multiple seedlings, you’ll likely need to thin them once they’ve developed their first true leaves. Thin carefully to avoid disturbing nearby plants, leaving the strongest seedling in each cluster.

Planting

If you’ve started beets in modules or trays indoors, transplant them very gently when still young to avoid root disturbance. This method is less common but can be useful for an early start in colder areas. Water the area before and after planting to settle the soil around the roots. Beets can also be sown in succession every two to three weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the season.

Plant Care

Beets need consistent moisture to develop evenly shaped roots. Water regularly during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging the soil. Mulching between rows can help retain moisture and reduce weeds. Keep the bed weed-free to reduce competition, especially in the early stages. Once established, beets are fairly low-maintenance. Apply a balanced fertiliser halfway through the growing season if growth seems slow or the leaves appear pale.

Harvesting

Beets can be harvested at any stage, depending on your preference. Baby beets are tender and quick to grow, while larger roots offer a stronger flavour. Most varieties are ready to pull up about 8 to 12 weeks after sowing. Loosen the soil with a fork if needed and pull the roots gently by hand. Don’t discard the leaves—beet greens are edible and highly nutritious. Remove them from the root immediately to prevent moisture loss in storage.

Problems

Beets are generally trouble-free, but a few issues can crop up. Irregular watering can cause roots to crack or split. Poor soil preparation can lead to small or misshapen beets. Pests like leaf miners may tunnel through the foliage, while diseases like downy mildew and root rot can develop in overly wet or crowded conditions. Crop rotation and good hygiene go a long way in preventing these problems. Avoid planting beets in the same spot more than once every three years.

Succession Planting for a Longer Harvest

Beets are one of the best crops for succession planting. Instead of sowing all your seeds at once, you can plant small batches every two to three weeks throughout spring and early summer. This approach ensures a steady supply of tender roots and fresh leaves rather than a large glut all at once. In milder regions, a final late summer sowing can give you a crop for early autumn, especially if you're harvesting them young.

Thinning for Healthier Roots

Thinning beet seedlings is essential for strong, well-formed roots. Because each seed cluster produces multiple seedlings, overcrowding is common. Once the seedlings are around 5 cm tall, gently pull or snip the extras, leaving one strong plant every 10 cm. Thinning helps reduce competition for water and nutrients and also improves air circulation, which lowers the risk of fungal disease. The thinned seedlings can be used as microgreens or tossed into salads.

Using Beet Leaves

The leaves of beet plants are edible and nutritious, offering a flavour somewhere between spinach and chard. Young leaves can be eaten raw in salads, while older ones are best sautéed or added to soups and stews. If you're harvesting leaves regularly, be sure to leave enough foliage on each plant so that root growth isn't affected. Too much leaf harvesting can stress the plant and result in smaller beets.

Temperature and Timing

Beets prefer cooler growing conditions and tend to bolt or go to seed in high summer heat, especially if stressed by drought or overcrowding. Ideal temperatures are between 10°C and 21°C. Sowing in early spring or later summer avoids the peak heat and helps ensure even, tender root growth. If you’re planting in summer, keep the soil consistently moist and consider light shading to protect young seedlings during the hottest part of the day.

Container Growing

Beets can be grown successfully in containers as long as they’re deep enough to accommodate the roots. Choose a container at least 20 cm deep with good drainage, and space seeds or seedlings as you would in a garden bed. Regular watering is even more important in containers, as soil can dry out quickly. Container-grown beets are a great option for balconies, patios or small spaces and often result in quick access to baby beets and greens.

Crop Rotation and Soil Health

Beets are part of the same plant family as spinach and chard. For this reason, avoid planting them in the same spot year after year. Rotating crops reduces the risk of soil-borne diseases and pests building up over time. Beets do best when they follow legumes or crops that have helped build soil nitrogen levels, but they don’t need overly rich soil themselves. Well-balanced soil and good structure are more important than high fertility.

Storing Beets

After harvesting, beets can be stored for several weeks if kept cool and dry. Remove the leaves first to prevent moisture loss from the root, but don’t cut too close or you’ll risk bleeding colour from the beet. Store them in breathable containers like paper bags or open trays in a cool place such as a cellar, garage or fridge. Avoid washing them before storage, as moisture encourages rot.