Having a flourishing plant in your square-foot garden is very satisfying. You want a plant that will stress you less but shows immense growth and harvest.
Beets are a solution to this case. They can grow in a limited space and have immense production.
This guide analyzes the planting and harvesting of Beets and why you need to consult a professional before gardening.
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About Beets
Beets (Beta vulgaris) are root vegetables with different varieties. They can be red, yellow, or white and range in size from small to large.
Beets are typically eaten cooked, but can also be eaten raw. When cooked they have a sweet and earthy flavor that makes them a popular addition to many dishes.
Beets are a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also low in calories and fat.
You can enjoy beets roasted, steamed, sautéed, or pureed.
If you plan to farm or garden beets are a good option as they are easy to grow and yield a large crop. They can be planted in the spring or fall and mature in about 60 days.
Its ability to flourish in all climates makes it ideal to grow in different locations.
Here are more details about beets square foot gardening:
Planting Beets: Beets Square-Foot Gardening
Beets are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in a square-foot garden. They do not require a lot of space and will yield a good crop even in a small area.
Here is what you need to know to get started.
What You Will Need:
- Beets seeds
- Square-foot gardening grid
- Soil
- Water
Instructions:
- Choose a spot in your garden that gets at least six hours of sunlight every day.
- Place your gardening grid over the area you have chosen.
- Fill each square with soil, using about one cup per square.
- Sow the beet seeds in each square, planting three to four seeds per square.
- Water the seeds well and keep the soil moist until they germinate.
- Once the seedlings have grown to about six inches tall, thin them out so that only one or two plants remain per square.
- Continue to water the plants and fertilize them every few weeks.
- Harvest the beets when they are about two inches in diameter. You can pull them up by the roots or cut them off at the base.
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When Should You Plant Beets
You can cultivate the fruit in any season. However, the best season for first-time planting is in the spring season. This allows the fruits to develop well all through to summer.
You can expect the fruits to break the ground in one and a half to three and a half weeks.
You will see variations in the period for breaking through the ground as per the variety used or the exact season.
In colder periods, the plant can take up to three weeks to germinate. When planting, you must consider the type of seeds you use.
To reduce the time taken for germination, you can soak the seeds in water for weeks before planting. This necessitates the upper part of the seed to weaken.
After soaking, plant and cover the seed lightly. It would be best if you handled the seed delicately as its top cover is fragile from being wet.
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Growing
This fruit naturally shows growth upon proper planting.
It minimally requires extra care to show proper growth. However, you can add critical subsidies to the soils to increase the flourishing of the fruit.
The plant can grow to a minimum height of 1.5 inches and a maximum of 3.5 inches.
With conducive temperatures, the seed planted can all develop into healthy beets. Nonetheless, temperatures that vary from very cold or hot may burn the seeds.
This reduces the number of seeds that germinate. It is crucial to try to control the levels of temperatures in the soil during growth.
This can help you achieve the full development of the beets.
Some of the best climates are in Minnesota and Idaho.
Here there are more than 30 million tons of beets produced each year. The productivity levels have a 67% success rate.
Lack of intense cold and hot temperatures facilitates high productivity levels.
The soil nutrients in Minnesota are also highly concentrated with nitrogen. This makes the beets more flavored as they grow.
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Harvesting Beets
Beets are typically ready to harvest 60 days after planting.
To check if they are ready, dig up one of the plants and see if the beet is about two inches in diameter. If it is, then the rest of the beets are probably ready to harvest.
Depending on the type of beet, you can either pull them up by the roots or cut them off at the base.
In cases where you are utilizing both the leaves and the roots, you can start by cutting off the leaves.
Cut the leaves at the medium of the stem and leave the roots intact to the ground.
The leaves are cut an inch higher from the roots to reduce destruction. You can now pull out the roots gently from the ground.
Wet the ground lightly to facilitate ease when pulling. Wetting the ground can also mitigate any damages caused by the rough soil.
The ground should not be muddy. Muddy ground increases the dirt on the roots, which makes them less presentable.
After a successful harvest, you can store your fruits in a cool and dry place. Regulate the temperatures in your stores to reduce any chances of rotting.
In cases where samples have been damaged, you can separate them from the rest of the bunch. This reduces the probability of the infectious fruits affecting the rest.
When harvesting beets, make sure to wear gloves as the beet juice can stain your hands. Note that, based on the type of beet you grow, some may take longer or shorter to mature.
If you’re uncertain, it’s always best to check by digging up one of the plants and checking the size of the beet.
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Types of Beets You Should Consider
The various types of beets show distinguishing characteristics in their sizes, color, and productivity levels. Here are the three main types of beets:
Ace Red Beet
As its name suggests, this type of beet is red. It has a generally smaller size than other beets. The beet’s roots, stems, and leaves can be used to cook.
The roots have a sweet taste characterized by increased levels of nutrients. This kind is harvested when still young and its root is soft.
The environmental conditions in Minnesota are favorable conditions to facilitate the growth of this kind of beets.
Orange Beets
These beets have a sweeter flavor than red beets and are often used in salads or as a garnish. Orange beets can also be roasted or steamed like other types of beets.
Growing this type of beet is the same as growing any other type. They can be planted in the spring or fall and will mature in about 60 days.
Forno Beet
Forno beets are a type of beet that is grown specifically for roasting. These beets are larger and have a sweeter flavor than other types of beets.
They can be roasted whole or cut into pieces before roasting. They can also be steamed or sautéed, but they may not be as sweet when cooked in these ways.
When gardening this type of beet, it is important to space the plants out a bit more than other types of beets.
They need about two feet of space between each plant. They may also need more nutrients than other beets because of their long roots and large leaves.
Chioggia Beets
Chioggia beets are a type of beet that is red on the outside and white on the inside. These beets have a milder flavor than other types of beets and are often used in salads.
They are grown in the same way as other beets, but they may need a bit more space due to their large leaves. They will mature in about 60 days.
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Risk of Pests and Diseases
More than 40% of plants are destroyed by pests and diseases annually. This makes it critical to understand the pest and diseases that affect the beets before planting.
This can allow you to devise measures to mitigate them in good time. Here are the common pests and diseases that can affect your beets farmed in a square-foot garden:
| Pest/Disease | Signs | Mitigation Measures |
| Cercospora | Holes in the leaves. The holes are caused by brown spots that later turn grey. | Do away with affected plants Reduce the humidity in the gardening area. Weeding the garden regularly facilitates good air movement |
| Mosaic Cucumber | Decreased leaf production Ringlike yellow patterns | Do away with affected plants Enhance utilization of mulches Utilize seeds that are healthy and treated |
| Bettles | Small poking on the leaves | Utilize bio-control measures Utilize excess mulching Plant the fruit in a row format |
| Worms | Poked seeds | Soak the seeds in water to enhance quick germination Enhance the proper draining system |
| Hoppes, | Numerous spottings on leaves, Decreased harvests | Do away with affected plants Increase water levels |
| Mines | Leaf blistering | Excessive weeding Plunging affected leaves |
4 Reasons Why You Should Consult a Professional Before Beet Square-Foot Gardening
Are you wondering if you need professional advice even with general knowledge of farming?
Professionals will ensure that you can work at a level ground with the added information about what you are growing and the environment you use.
This gives you a better picture of what you need to facilitate high productivity. Here are four reasons you should consult a professional before gardening:
Soil Testing
Soil testing is done by a pedologist. The expert takes soil samples and takes them to the lab for testing. This gives a clear image of the nutrients your soil has and lacks.
The expert can, from this point, advise on the best crops you can grow. They can also recommend the nutrients you need to add to the soil to enable the crops you choose to flourish.
Professional Advice on Land Preparation
The professionals will help you clear your land and get rid of any obstacles. They have the equipment needed for large-scale land clearing.
The experts will also help you plow the land and get rid of large rocks. This ensures that you have a smooth surface for planting.
The professionals will also grade the land to ensure that it has proper drainage and create furrows to guide you when planting.
All these processes are crucial for healthy and productive beet gardening.
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Disease and Pest Control Measures
Beet plants are susceptible to various pests and diseases. These include nematodes, leaf spots, powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, and Alternaria leaf spot.
A professional will help you identify the pests and diseases attacking your plants. They will also advise on the best control measures to use.
Crop Selection
With the help of a professional, you can choose the best beet variety to grow in your area. They will also help you decide on the best time to plant the beets.
The experts will also help you choose other crops that can be grown alongside the beets.
Working with professionals in beet square-foot gardening allows you to learn more about the process.
The experts will also give you tips on how to take care of your garden and ensure high productivity.
Beet square-foot gardening is a great way to have fresh and healthy vegetables at your fingertips, and you should give it a try.
Furthermore, you may like some more gardening articles:
- How to Grow Turnips in a Square-Foot Garden
- Square Foot Gardening Cauliflower
- Square Foot Gardening Raspberries [All About To Know]
- Square Foot Gardening Squash [Most 7 Benefits]
- Square Foot Gardening Zucchini
- Square-Foot Gardening Radish [How to Grow]
- Square Foot Gardening Onions [Best Tips & Tricks]
- Square Foot Gardening Cucumbers [Helpful Tips]
- Square Foot Gardening Bush Beans [Best Methods to Grow]
Final Word
Beet square-foot gardening is a great way to have fresh and healthy vegetables.
You can grow various crops alongside the beets, and this allows you to have a productive garden.
Before you start beet square-foot gardening, it is important to consult a professional. The experts will help you with soil testing, land preparation, and crop selection.
They will also advise you on the best pest and disease control measures.
Working with a professional allows you to learn more about beet square-foot gardening and have a successful garden.
Contact us today to learn more about beet square-foot gardening. Our experts will be happy to help you get started.
I’m Elsa, and I love gardening. I started GardeningElsa.com as a resource for other gardeners, and I offer expert advice on gardening topics such as plants, flowers, herbs, and vegetable gardening. On my website, I share my latest tips and tricks for creating beautiful gardens. When I’m not working on my website, you can find me in my own garden, tending to my plants and flowers. Read more about me.