How to Plant Detroit Red Beets in a Container

Detroit red beets are tailor-made for container growing.

If you love garden-fresh beets but you don't have a space for a garden, consider planting Detroit red beets. Tailor-made for container growing, Detroit red beets are compact, bushy plants that require little growing space, but will produce plenty of sweet, tender, deep red beets. Cook a batch of Detroit red beets, or use them for pickling or canning. The greens are delicious as well. Plant Detroit red beets 30 days before the last expected frost date in your area.

Things You'll Need

• Container with drainage hole
• All-purpose commercial potting soil
• Beet seeds
• Watering can or spray bottle
• Water-soluble fertilizer for vegetables or organic fertilizer

Instructions

1. Choose a sturdy container with a drainage hole for planting Detroit red beets. The container should be at least 12 inches in diameter and 8 to 12 inches deep.

2. Fill the container with an all-purpose commercial potting soil. Add water to the potting soil and mix it until the potting soil is moist but not soggy.

3. Plant the beet seeds in the potting mixture, allowing about an inch between each seed. Cover the seeds with 1/2 inch of potting mixture.

4. Water carefully until the beet seeds sprout, using a watering can or a spray bottle, as the seeds will easily be washed from the soil. Check the potting mixture daily, as containerized plants dry out quickly. The beets may need to be watered twice per day during hot, dry weather. The soil should be damp, but not drenched, as the plants will rot in soggy soil. Water in morning or afternoon so the foliage will have time to dry before evening.

5. Place the container in a sunny spot away from walls or fences that will prevent good air circulation. Move the container into the shade on hot, sunny afternoons.

6. Fertilize the beets once weekly, using a water-soluble fertilizer for vegetables. If you prefer, you can use an organic fertilizer such as fish emulsion. Read the package directions for specific instructions.

7. Thin the beets when the seedlings are about 2 inches tall. Remove the smallest seedlings by cutting them off with a small pair of scissors. Leave the larger seedlings to continue growing.

8. Begin harvesting the beets when they reach approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. The beets will reach this size about 60 days after planting. If you prefer larger beets, allow them to grow larger, but don't let them grow more than about 3 inches in diameter, as beets left too long will become woody and tough.

References

• Cornell University: Growing Vegetables in Containers
• Oregon State University: Growing Plants in Containers
• University of Arkansas: Beets