![]() It doesn’t work that way: more likely, you’ll wind up with smaller or meagre harvests. Perhaps the biggest beetroot growing mistake you can make is to leave every seedling you grow in place, in the hopes of a bigger yield. Alternatively, if you are looking to incorporate beetroot into your container gardening ideas, sow thinly into large pots of dampened multi-purpose compost that has been enriched with fertilizer, she says. If you are sowing direct outdoors, Homes & Gardens gardening expert Ruth Hayes recommends sowing thinly into one-inch deep drills. And if you are moving out seedlings started indoors, harden them off for a week first so they toughen up their leaf layers. Check soil pH, which needs to be 6-7.5 (neutral or slightly acidic). They do well in an east, west or south-facing garden, though partial shade helps on hot days. The best beets benefit from at least six hours of sunshine a day. Garden expert Rebecca Boyar at West Coast Seeds also recommends a low-nitrogen fertilizer to support and encourage root development (higher nitrogen content can be introduced later if you want to boost leaf production). This will also help to remove any stones or chunks of debris that could impede root growth or lead to misshapen beetroots.Īdd well-rotted garden compost or aged organic matter prior to planting. Rake over the soil a few weeks before sowing or planting in order to loosen up the earth. Nikhil Arora advises choosing a well-draining soil for optimal growth. ![]() You will get better beets in loose fertile, sandy and loamy soils. Growing beets in the wrong placeĪlthough beetroots cope well in a variety of soils, they are not likely to flourish or yield generously in poor earth, compacted clay-based soils or parched ground. ‘Sow bolt-resistant varieties such as Boltardy and Action under cloches in mid-March, or sow into modules under cover and transplant out in April,’ says Lucy. Just choose varieties that are less likely to bolt (which can happen with some breeds if planted too soon). That said, beetroot is one of the best vegetables to grow in a greenhouse if you want to start sowing a little earlier. ‘Ideally, position over designated beds two weeks before you plan to sow,’ she adds.įor the best beets, sow from April to July. ‘Rigid plastic and glass tunnel cloches are the most insulating,’ says Homes & Gardens veg expert Lucy Chamberlain. Use cloches and cold frames to preheat the ground before sowing (these also keep seedlings safe in the first few weeks). ‘Wait until the soil temperature reaches 50˚F for optimal germination,’ says Nikhil. Avoid planting too early in the season to protect plants from frost damage. TIP: Susan recommends, "Cover new plants with newspaper for a few days to protect them from hot sun.As you decide when to plant beets, Back to the Roots co-founder Nikhil Arora urges caution. Protect the young seedlings by placing netting or a strawberry basket over them. You can check the depth by inserting your finger to root depth, then adding water until you feel the soil getting wet.ĭo not transplant during the midday sun, as the heat can dry out the roots. Make sure there is enough water so that it settles around the roots. Water the newly transplanted beet with a gentle spray of water several times a day, allowing the water to soak into the soil before each spray. Take special care to not harm the long taproot, as this is the main vein to the beet. If your beets have grown many roots that have reached the bottom of the pot, you should first carefully untangle the roots. Make sure you space the plants 6 inches or more apart, and check the soil's pH before planting. It should not be too dry or soaking wet, but damp enough that when you press your hand on the soil water is also pressed out. If you want to transplant directly into a garden, only transplant your beet seedlings into ground that is moist. When they are ready to be transplanted they will also be ready for harsher conditions. Each time you take them outside, keep them out for a longer duration. As your beets begin to grow, take them outside for a short period of time. If you are looking to harden off your beets (get them ready for harsher conditions), do that prior to transplanting them. TIP: Susan suggests, "When transplanting beets keep roots to 3 inches." Lift the plant out of the pot by the leaves (never the stems) and place in the new pots. When you have enough growth, use a pencil, popsicle stick, or butter knife to gently tease the other seedlings apart. Do not pick the plant from the pot until the first true leaves appear. Place more than one seed in a pot and wait for it begin sprouting before moving them. TIP: Our expert gardening advisor, Susan Patterson adds, "Wait to transplant until plants are at least 2 inches tall." Transplanting to a Larger Containerīeets are versatile plants, and one that you can begin inside the home before transplanting to larger pots outside.
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