Sowing and growing beet

Red beets, also known as Beta vulgaris, are a wonderful addition to any vegetable garden. This versatile vegetable, which grows underground, comes in a variety of colors from deep red to golden yellow. They are not only delicious and sweet – perfect for cooking or pickling – but also a source of essential nutrients such as potassium, manganese and folic acid. Thanks to their nitrate content, they contribute to better blood flow and lower blood pressure. Let’s see how to sow and grow this nutritious vegetable in our own vegetable garden.

When to sow beet

Sowing red beets can be done almost year-round. For early cultivation, start indoors in February, in a greenhouse or greenhouse. Starting in late February or early March, you can also sow them in a greenhouse. Sowing outdoors is possible from mid-March to April for the early varieties, or in May for the normal varieties. For late harvests, you can sow outdoors even from June to mid-July.

Preparation of soil for red beets

Before you begin sowing red beets, it is important to prepare the soil properly. Remove weeds and turn over the soil so that it is loose and fertile. This provides an ideal growing environment for the seeds.

Sowing red beets

Sow beet seeds about 1 centimeter deep in the soil, with a distance of about 5 to 10 centimeters between each seed. Cover the seeds with soil, press lightly and moisten the soil. Be sure to keep the soil moist, but not too wet. The seeds usually germinate between 7 and 10 days.

Care and growth of red beets

When the seedlings are about 5 cm tall, it is time to thin them out. Place them about 7.5 to 10 inches apart to ensure adequate space for growth. Red beets need regular nutrition, and it is essential that the soil remain moist during their growing period.

Plant spacing and growing conditions

The ideal planting distance for red beets is crucial to their development. In addition to proper spacing, the quality of the soil is also important. Provide well-drained, fertile soil to ensure optimal growth.

Harvesting red beets

After about 50 to 70 days, the beets are mature and ready to be harvested. You can now enjoy fresh red beets straight from your own vegetable garden.

Beet pre-sowing for an earlier harvest

Want an earlier harvest? Then you can pre-sow the beet seeds indoors in a propagator. This gives you a head start and makes for stronger plants by the time they can go outside.

Conclusion

Sowing and growing red beets is a rewarding activity for any vegetable gardener. With proper care and attention, you can enjoy this nutritious and tasty vegetable from your own garden. Follow these steps and tips for a successful harvest of red beets!