Vegetable · Root & Bulb
Beet
Beta vulgaris
A cool-season root crop grown for its sweet, earthy root and edible greens alike. Tolerates light frost and grows quickly in loose, stone-free soil.
At a glance
Water
Medium
20–32 fl oz/wk
Light
Full sun
6–8 hrs/day
Space
Small
3 in
To maturity
55–70 days
Edible parts: Root, Leaves
Family: Carrot
Includes carrots, celery, parsley, and dill. Known for feathery foliage and umbrella-shaped flower clusters.
Harvest
Pull roots once they reach 1-3 inches across for the best texture; larger roots can turn woody. Young leaves can be harvested continuously without disturbing the root.
Growing conditions
- Temperature
- 50–70 °F
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Soil type
- Loose, well-draining loam, free of rocks and clods
- Climate
- Cool-season, frost-tolerant.
- Growing season
- Direct-sow in early spring, and again in late summer for a fall crop.
- Nitrogen
- Low (≈20–40 ppm)
- Humidity
- Medium (≈40–70 %)
- Planting unit
- Seed
- Feeding schedule
- Too much nitrogen favours leafy top growth at the expense of the root, similar to carrots.
- Pest resistance
- Moderate - generally trouble-free, occasional leaf miners
- Pests
- Leaf miners: Small fly or moth larvae that tunnel between leaf surfaces, leaving pale, winding trails.
- Pruning
- Thin seedlings to about 3 inches apart so roots have room to size up.
Where it grows
- Container / PotIdeal— 8-10in+ pot depth for the root to develop.
- In-Ground GardenIdeal
- Raised BedIdeal
- HydroponicNot recommended— Root shape doesn't suit typical hydroponic channels.
- Vertical / TrellisNot recommended— No climbing or vining habit.
- WindowsillNot recommended— Needs more root depth and light than a windowsill offers.
Companions & antagonists
No known companion pairings yet.
Sources
- Growing beets in home gardens — University of Minnesota Extension
- Beet — Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home & Garden Information Center