Things You'll Need:
- Garden tools Beet seed Water-soluble fertilizer
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Step 1
Select a sunny area to grow beets. Beets can be grown in a partially shaded area, but growth will be inhibited if they receive too much shade. Strive for an area where they receive full sun for at least 2 to 3 hours a day. Morning or noon sun is best if you must plant in a shaded area. Late afternoon sun does not provide the light needed for beets to thrive.
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Step 2
Plant beets in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. These hardy plants do not mind frost and will germinate as soon as the soil reaches a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and the air temperatures remain above 50 degrees. Preparing the soil in the fall makes starting beets early easy as there will be no need for tilling the soil. If you have not tilled the soil in the fall, you will need to wait until the soil has dried enough to till in the spring.
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Step 3
Space seeds 2 to 4 inches apart to a depth of 1/2 inch. Thin plants to stand 4 inches apart once the seedlings are several inches high. Many gardeners prefer to plant beets closely and thin every other beet to use for beet greens while allowing the rest to mature to form large beets.
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Step 4
Water regularly whenever the soil has dried to promote healthy growth. Beets thrive in moist soil by can tolerate soil that dries between waterings.
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Step 5
Apply water-soluble fertilizer on a 10- to 14-day schedule once seedlings are 2 to 4 inches high.
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Step 6
Harvest when roots are well-formed and reach the desired size, approximately 50 to 70 days, depending on the growing conditions and the variety of beet. Beet greens can be harvested in 30 to 45 days.
