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

This post will teach you how to grow beets at home. Beetroot is a great vegetable because it’s relatively easy to cultivate, and you can use seeds and scraps to start.

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

Let’s get started!

When to Plant?

The short answer is that beets don’t do well in hot weather. Therefore, the best time to plant them is in the cool temperatures of fall and spring [1].

How Long Does It 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.

But the average time is 7 to 8 weeks to reach maturity after they’re planted.

Spacing

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

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

How to Grow Beets from Seeds

Beetroot is a great spring or fall vegetable to grow.

Choose a spot in your garden that doesn’t get too much sun. Next, dig a hole about twice the size of the seed and place it in the hole.

Cover the seed with soil and water it thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until the beetroot seedlings emerge, which should take about 5 to 12 days.

Once the beetroot seedlings have emerged, thin them out (as outlined above) so there is only one plant per hole.

If you don’t have ample space outside to plant a garden or can’t be bothered with outdoor gardening, consider using a container.

Try to get one that’s at least six inches deep. Next, you’ll want to put in soil rich in organic matter.

Thereafter, bury the seeds about half an inch deep and cover them with soil. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.

Once the beets pop their little heads out of the soil, you can water the little seedlings. 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 plant beets to grow more beets!

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. Now, wait patiently for the beets to grow in a few weeks.

Another trick is to grow the tops in water. Put enough water (rainwater is best) in a container covering the “cut” end. 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 a great way to start if you’re new to gardening. It’s easy and doesn’t take up much space.

Get a pot or container at least 8 inches deep, with drainage holes, so excess water can escape.

Fill it with a good-quality potting mix and sprinkle the seeds on top. 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 stay moist but not drenched. Germination should start in 5 to 12 days.

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

Fertilizer Requirements

You’ll want to use fertilizer with less nitrogen than potassium and phosphate. Geoflora is a good option.

Once your beets grow, feed them well every three weeks or so.

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

Watering Needs

Make sure you water the plants regularly and give them enough sunlight.

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

If you’re starting from scraps, place the scraps in a jar of water and wait for them to grow roots. Then, transplant them into rich soil and water them regularly.

Companion Planting

By planting different crops together, you can create a synergy that helps them all grow better.

For example, planting beets next to onions and garlic will help keep away pests that are nuisances to beets.

And if you plant beets next to bush beans, the beans will help improve the soil for your beets.

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? Well, one way is to use homemade and organic pesticides to get rid of them.

Diseases

Powdery mildew is a common issue. Other plant diseases and conditions affecting this crop include bacterial leaf spot, beet rust, beet yellow virus, damping-off, and root and crown rot.

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

How to Harvest Beets

Plan to harvest about 2 months after planting. First, loosen the soil around the bulbs and gently tug on them to pull them out of the soil.

Next, brush off the dirt and bury the beets in a container with sand or sawdust. Store them in a cool, dry place.

You can also wash fresh beets and store them in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days.

Where to Buy Seeds

We recommend buying high-quality, organic seeds online at SeedsNow. You can find the seeds you want, whether red beets, yellow beets, white beets, or purple beets.

Takeaway

There you have it! You now know how to plant beets in your home garden, care for them, and harvest them. Beet greens are also delicious, so don’t forget to eat those too.

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

Image by Yutaka Seki