How to grow Beets
Beta vulgaris
Two crops in one — sweet roots and greens.
Beets are a cool-season root that does well in spring and fall almost anywhere. Sow in cool soil and keep the bed evenly moist; in hot-summer climates, lean on a fall crop for the sweetest roots.
Grow Beets with step-by-step help for your exact yard.
Start free in Seededly →Beets at a glance
| Sun | Full sun |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Spacing | 3–4 in |
| Harvest | 50–70 days |
| Plant | Spring & late summer |
| Note | Eat the greens too |
How to grow Beets, step by step
Sow in cool soil
- Direct-sow in spring and again in late summer; each “seed” is a cluster.
- Soak seed overnight to speed up germination.
Thin & water
- Thin seedlings to 3–4 in so roots can size up — eat the thinnings as greens.
- Keep evenly moist for tender, non-woody roots.
Harvest
- Pull at 1.5–3 in across; bigger roots can get woody.
- A light fall frost sweetens them; harvest the greens anytime.
Beets problems & fixes
Beets — All tops, tiny roots: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Crowded or too much nitrogen. Thin properly and ease off rich feed.
Beets — Tough, woody roots: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Left too long or grown dry. Harvest younger and water steadily.
Beets — Patchy germination: what's wrong and how do I fix it?
Crusty, dry soil. Keep the surface moist and sow into loose ground.
Recommended beets varieties
- Detroit Dark Red — Best all-rounder. The dependable classic — sweet roots and tasty greens.
- Chioggia — Pretty / mild. Candy-striped inside, mild and sweet; a showpiece raw.
- Golden — No-stain. Sweet golden roots that won’t bleed all over the cutting board.
Beets month-by-month
| January | Plan; order seed. |
|---|---|
| February | Prep the bed. |
| March | Sow first crop in cool soil. |
| April | Thin seedlings; eat the greens. |
| May | Roots sizing up. |
| June | Pull spring beets before heat. |
| July | Sow the fall crop now. |
| August | Thin again; keep moist. |
| September | Fall roots sizing up. |
| October | Harvest — frost makes them sweet. |
| November | Mulch and pull as needed. |
| December | Off-season. |