How to grow beets from seed to harvest
How to grow beets from seed to harvest (Soil, Planting, Care, Harvesting, Storage)
@PlantFarmEat
Quick guide:
• Beets are a cool-season crop and grow well in the cool temperatures of spring and fall.
• They do poorly in hot weather.
• Beets are well suited to large or small home gardens since they require little room.
• They are grown for both the roots which usually are pickled and the young tops which are used as greens.
• About 10 feet of row per person will provide enough beets to use fresh or for canning.
• Beet tops are an excellent source of vitamin A and the roots are a good source of vitamin C.
Location
• The beet "seed" is actually a cluster of seeds in a dried fruit. Several seedlings may grow from each fruit.
• Beets can be planted in partial shade and grow best in deep, well drained soils.
• Plant seeds about 1/2 inch deep and one inch apart. Allow 12 to 18 inches between rows.
• Beets have deep roots that can reach depths of 36 to 48 inches.
• Do not plant them at a place where tree roots will compete with.
Soil
• Before planting, make sure the soil is free of rocks, trash and large sticks. Mix fine pieces of plant material such as grass, leaves and small sticks into the soil to enrich it. Spade the soil 8 to 10 inches deep. Be sure all plant material is covered with soil so it will break down quickly.
• Beets do best in sandy soil in the spring and heavier soil in the fall because sandy soil warms faster than heavier clay soil. Beets do not grow well in tight clay. In poorly drained areas, make ridges 4 to 6 inches tall to allow water to drain. The soil should have adequate organic matter to prevent it from crusting because crusty soil causes beet roots to be tough.
• Beets are also sensitive to soils deficient in boron. Have your soil tested to identify boron deficiencies in your area.
Planting
• Beets can be grown all winter in many areas. Beets are fairly frost hardy and can be planted in the garden 30 days before the frost-free date for your area. Farther north they should be planted as soon as the soil can be worked in spring. Soil temperature must be at least 40F for beet seeds to sprout.
• Using a hoe handle, stick or similar object, make a furrow ½ inch deep down the center of the ridge. Each beet seed produces 2 to 6 plants. Space the seeds 1 to 2 inches apart in the row. Cover seeds lightly with loose soil and sprinkle with water. Use seed treated with a fungicide to prevent the young plants from rotting. Plants should be up in 7 to 14 days. In hot weather, cover seed with sand or light-colored mulch.
• For continuous supply of beets, make several plantings 3 weeks apart.
Fertilizing
• Scatter 1 cup of a complete fertilizer such as 10-20-10 for each 10 feet of row.
• If the garden soil has a lot of clay, add compost. Mix the fertilizer 4 inches into the soil with a rake and work into beds.
• Scatter 1 tablespoon of fertilizer for each 10 feet of row beside the plants when they are 4 to 6 inches tall.
Watering
• Water the plants well weekly if it does not rain.
• Beet root systems can reach 36 inches or more if adequate soil moisture is available.
Care
• Keep the beet plants free of weeds which use nutrients and moisture.
• Scratch the soil next to the plants with a rake or hand tool to prevent crusting. Do not work the soil more than 1 inch deep or the root systems may be injured.
• Begin thinning the beets as soon as they get crowded in the row. Young tops make excellent greens. After thinning, the plants should be 2 to 3 inches apart.
Harvesting
• Beets should be ready to harvest 7 to 8 weeks after planting.
• Young, tender tops often have a mild quality, but the greens can be used until they get large and strong flavored. Young plants can be cooked with the root and top together, or you can use the root alone when it is the size of a golf ball or larger.
• Pull the plants and cut off the root.
• About 60 days are required for beets to reach 1 1/2 inches in diameter, the size often used for cooking, pickling or canning as whole beets.
Storage
• If the tops greens are to be used, wash and place them in plastic bags in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 days. Roots will keep 1 to 2 weeks in plastic bags in the refrigerator.
• Beets also may be stored in outdoor pits if the beets are dug before the ground freezes in the fall. Cut off the tops of the beets one inch above the roots. Beets store best at 32°F and 95 percent humidity.
Subscribe: / @plantfarmeat
For more: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/li... https://web.extension.illinois.edu/ve...
Sources:
https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu
https://www.pexels.com/
https://unsplash.com
https://pixabay.com/
https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/....
https://www.canva.com/
https://www.apple.com/imovie/
Смотрите видео How to grow beets from seed to harvest онлайн без регистрации, длительностью часов минут секунд в хорошем качестве. Это видео добавил пользователь Gardening - Plant Farm Eat 27 Февраль 2021, не забудьте поделиться им ссылкой с друзьями и знакомыми, на нашем сайте его посмотрели 26 раз и оно понравилось людям.