How to Grow Beets at Home (From Seeds and Scraps)

This post will teach you how to grow beets at home.

Beetroot is an easy vegetable to grow from seed. You can also regrow the leafy tops from beet scraps, although the scraps will not grow a new beetroot.

You’ll learn the basics of growing beets from seeds and how to regrow them from scraps.

Let’s get started!

How Long Does Beetroot Take to Grow?

It depends on the variety you’re planting. Some beets take as little as 45 days to reach harvest, while others can take up to 65 days.

Most beet varieties are ready to harvest in about 7 to 8 weeks.

When to Plant?

Beets grow best in cool weather and may struggle during prolonged heat. Therefore, the best time to plant them is in the cool temperatures of fall and spring [1].

Spacing

When planting beets, it is essential to give them enough space to grow.

If you’re using seeds, space them 1 to 2 inches apart in rows and sow them about half an inch deep. After they’ve sprouted enough, thin them to 3 to 4 inches apart.

Beet “seeds” are actually small clusters, so more than one seedling may sprout from each one.

How to Grow Beets from Seeds

Beetroot is a great spring or fall vegetable to grow.

Choose a spot that gets full sun. In very hot areas, a little afternoon shade can help keep plants cool. Next, sow seeds ½ inch deep.

Cover the seeds with soil and water them thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until the beetroot seedlings emerge, which typically takes 5 to 12 days.

Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them (as outlined above) so only the strongest seedling remains every 3 to 4 inches.

If you don’t have ample space outside to plant a garden or are too busy for outdoor gardening, consider using a container.

Try to get one that’s at least 8 inches deep. Next, fill the container with a high-quality potting mix enriched with compost or other organic matter.

Thereafter, bury the seeds about 0.5 inches deep and cover them with soil. Keep the soil evenly moist while the seeds germinate and continue watering as the seedlings grow.

Don’t forget to weed your container garden regularly because this root vegetable doesn’t like to compete for space.

Planting Beets from Scraps

You can regrow beet tops to harvest fresh leaves, but the scraps will not produce another beetroot.

Just cut off the top (not more than one-third of the beet) and then plant it (cut-side down) in some soil, but do not bury the stem with the leaves.

Over the next few weeks, new leaves will begin to grow. These leafy greens can be picked and eaten. The leaves will keep growing for a while, but eventually the beet will run out of stored energy and stop producing new growth.

Another trick is to grow the tops in water. Fill a shallow container with enough water to cover only the cut side.

Next, place the container on the windowsill to get some sunlight.

In a few days, sooner than you think, you will begin to see new leaves. Change the water every couple of days.

Growing in Pots

Growing beets in containers is an excellent way to begin if you’re new to gardening. It’s easy and doesn’t take up much space.

Use a pot or container at least 8 inches deep with drainage holes to allow excess water to drain.

Fill it with a good-quality potting mix and plant the seeds about ½ inch deep. Next, gently sprinkle a thin layer of soil over the seeds and water them.

It’s a shade-tolerant root crop, but keep an eye on the water level. The soil must remain moist, but not overly wet.

Germination should start in 5 to 12 days.

You can also regrow beets from scraps in containers, as outlined above.

Best Soil

Beets grow best in loose, well-drained soil rich in compost. Remove rocks before planting so the roots can grow straight and smooth.

Fertilizer Requirements

Use a balanced vegetable fertilizer or one that is lower in nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can cause lots of leaves but smaller roots. Geoflora is a good option.

Follow the fertilizer label. Many slow-release fertilizers only need to be applied once or twice during the growing season.

You can also use manure, but it’s vital to age or compost it first; otherwise, you risk burning your plants. Also, work it well into the soil before planting.

Watering Needs

Water deeply about once a week, or whenever the top inch of soil starts to dry out. Keep the soil evenly moist, but don’t let it become soggy.

You can plant the seeds in the ground or in containers. Just follow the steps above.

Beet tops grown in water can be transplanted into soil if you want to continue growing the leaves.

Companion Planting

By planting different crops together, you can create an environment that fosters their growth.

For example, planting beets near onions and garlic may help discourage some pests.

Bush beans help add nitrogen to the soil, benefiting future crops.

Pests

When growing beets, look for different kinds of pests, one of which is the leaf miner.

Other pests to watch out for include aphids, flea beetles, beet webworms, spider mites, and cutworms. These critters can severely damage or even kill the plants.

So, how can you protect your plants from these pesky pests? One way to eliminate them is to use homemade and organic pesticides.

Floating row covers can also help protect young plants from leaf miners and flea beetles.

Plant Diseases

Beets can develop several diseases, including powdery mildew, bacterial leaf spot, beet rust, beet yellows virus, damping-off, Cercospora leaf spot, and root and crown rot.

Try a few of these home remedies and organic products, or a combination of them, to fight these plant diseases.

How to Harvest Beets

Most beets are ready to harvest 7 to 8 weeks after planting, depending on the variety.

First, loosen the soil around the roots with a garden fork before gently pulling them from the ground.

Next, brush off the dirt, then pack the beets in slightly damp sand or sawdust. Store them in a cool, dry place.

Cut off the leafy tops, leaving about 1 inch of stem. Store unwashed beets in the refrigerator for 2 to 4 weeks. Leave the skin on until you’re ready to cook them.

Where to Buy Seeds

We recommend buying high-quality organic seeds from SeedsNow or Seed Needs. You can find the seeds you want, whether you’re looking for red, golden, striped, or white beet varieties.

Takeaway

There you have it! You now know how to plant beets in your home garden, care for them, and harvest them.

Beets are a great crop to cultivate in your backyard garden and are easy to care for. So why not give them a try?