Growing beets at home: Tips for root and leaf harvests

Growing the right vegetables indoors can make gardening much easier and more enjoyable. However, some vegetables can be challenging to grow because they require specific care, such as the right amount of soil or nutrients. Beets, on the other hand, are a great choice for indoor gardeners. They are simple to grow, easy to harvest, and don’t require much care.

Beets are fast-growing, cool-season vegetables with edible leaves and roots. Their bright red roots form round bulbs, while their leafy greens grow above the soil. The greens can be eaten fresh, turned into powder, or made into juice, making beets a versatile option. While beets thrive in full sunlight, they are also cold-tolerant and can germinate in temperatures up to 90°F, so they adapt well to different environments.

For the best results, plant beets in spring or fall to enjoy a healthy and early harvest. Growcycle offers various planting and harvesting methods to help grow fresh, nutritious vegetables indoors.

Botanical Description

Beet (Beta vulgaris) is a root vegetable in the Amaranthaceae family. Commonly known as beetroot, red beet, table beet, or garden beet, it is valued for its edible roots and leaves.

Root System

Beets develop thick, fleshy taproots that can be round, long, and tapered. These roots come in various colors, including red, purple, white, and golden. The root's structure features cambium rings, which transport water and nutrients and store energy.

Stems

Beet stems are erect, ribbed, and cylindrical, tapering slightly toward the leaves. They are deep red, with lighter coloring near the base where they connect to the root. The stems have a crisp, striped texture that may become fibrous as they mature. Fully edible beet stems can be used fresh in salads, cooked, or pickled.

Leaves

Beet leaves are large, green, and feature prominent red veins. Typically oblong in shape, the leaves have red stems and a reddish-purple tint, adding visual appeal. These nutritious leaves are often used in cooking or salads.

Fruits

Beetroots, often called "fruits," are small, round, and vibrant with red flesh. They have smooth, firm skin and a dense, slightly crunchy texture.

Flowers

Beet flowers grow in clusters on leafy stems during the plant's second year. Each flower is small, measuring 3–5 mm in diameter, and has five petals. They form dense, spike-like clusters and are wind-pollinated. While the flowers contain both male and female parts, they cannot self-pollinate, as the pollen is released before the pistil is receptive.

Characteristics of Beets

Beets are versatile root vegetables known for their vibrant colors and flavor. Here are some of its characteristics:

Appearance 

• Color: Red beets are the most common, but they also come in other colors, such as purple, white, golden, and candy-striped. The green tops of the beet plant are also edible.
• Shape: Mostly, the beets are round, like red beets, but they can also be flat, long, or cone-shaped. However, some varieties are cylindrical, which are longer and thinner, making them easier to slice and giving a higher yield.
• Skin: Beet skin is safe to eat if cleaned, but peeling it off is better because the skin is tougher than the flesh and can still hold dirt. Although the skin is healthy, it does not have a nice texture. 
• Flesh: The flesh of a beet is the sweet, earthy part that is usually red or purple. Its color comes from a natural dye called betanin. Mostly, it contains vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, especially when the beet is less processed.

Texture 

Raw beets usually have a crunchy texture, but they become soft and smooth when cooked. Although fresh beets are firm, they get softer as they age. If a beet feels soft, it is better not to use it for cooking purposes, as with time, beets lose their firmness and nutrients. 

Aroma and Flavor 

Beets have a strong earthy smell and taste due to a compound called geosmin, which is also found in soil. They also have a natural sweetness, which intensifies when cooked, especially when roasted.

Benefits of Growing Fresh Beets 

Growing fresh beets at home offers multiple benefits to improve health. Here are a few of them:

• Easy to Grow: Beets are easy-to-grow plants that do not require staking or pruning. They can also adapt to different soil types, allowing them to thrive in various conditions without special attention.
• Multiple Harvests: Beets usually provide two crops at once. First, the beet greens can be harvested and eaten while the root grows. Later, the mature beetroot can be harvested, making beets a versatile option for gardeners.
• Resilient Growth: It is a tough vegetable that can survive cold weather, including frost and near-freezing temperatures. It is also less likely to be affected by pests or diseases, making it easy to grow in various conditions.

• Regulates Blood Pressure: Beets' high nitrate content can help regulate blood pressure. The body changes these nitrates into nitric oxide, which helps relax and widen blood vessels. Hence, drinking beet juice can reduce blood pressure, especially for people with high blood pressure.
• Improve Heart Health: Eating beets can improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and increasing blood flow. The nitrates in beets turn into nitric oxide in the body, which helps relax blood vessels. This can also improve heart and lung function, especially when exercising.
• Improves Digestion: This vegetable is rich in fiber, which helps with regular digestion and prevents constipation. It also reduces the risk of digestive problems like IBS and diverticulitis. Further, it contains betaine and glutamine to protect the gut lining.

Grow Beets At Home

With the right approach, Beets are easy to grow, and growers can enjoy a delicious harvest straight from the garden. Here is a simple guide to help grow beets successfully:

Step 1. Choose the Right Variety 

With multiple beet varieties, choosing the right type for fresh taste is important. Here are some of the best indoor beets:

Step 2. Select Proper Location

The beets need plenty of sunlight and a healthy environment to grow well. Gardeners need to choose the planting site carefully. 

• Sunny Area: Choose a location with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. However, to prevent pests and diseases, avoid planting beets in areas where beets or similar crops, like Swiss chard, have recently been grown.
• Raised Beds: Beets can mostly be grown in raised beds due to their better drainage and reduced root rot. Raised beds also help control soil quality and make it easier to manage weeds than growing directly in the ground.
• Containers: Growing beets in containers is perfect for small spaces. They are easy to move to different spots for sunlight and allow better control over soil moisture and overall growing conditions.

Step 3. Prepare the Ground

Beets need rich, fertile soil for healthy, fast growth. Preparing the soil before planting is important to ensure this growth. 

• Loosen the Soil: Use a hori hori or a long trowel to break up the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. This helps the roots grow more easily.
• Add Compost: Now, add a fresh 2—to 3-inch layer of compost to the soil to provide the necessary nutrients and ensure the beets' strong, healthy growth.
• Maintain Soil pH: Beets grow best in soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 and can handle slightly alkaline soil. Avoid planting in soil pH below 6.0, as beets do not tolerate acidic conditions.
• Level the Surface: Use a hand rake to level the soil surface and press it flat with a trowel or hori hori to create an even bed for sowing the seeds.
• Remove Debris and Clumps: Make sure to break up large soil clumps and remove pebbles, weeds, and plant debris, as these obstacles can reduce the growth of plants.  

Step 4. Sow the Seeds

Beets grow best when seeds are sown directly in the soil, as this prevents damage to their roots.

• Soak Seeds: To increase germination speed, soak beet seeds in room-temperature water for 24 hours before planting. The water improves seed growth, leading to faster growth once sown.
• Depth and Spacing: Sow these seeds about ½ inches deep and space them 1 to 2 inches apart. Make sure to place rows of these seeds 12 to 18 inches apart.

Step 5: Thin the Seedlings

Once the beet seedlings start to grow, they must be thinned to give them enough space to develop properly.

• Process: When the young beet greens reach 4 to 5 inches tall, trim them with scissors to prevent disturbing the roots of the remaining plants.
• Proper Spacing: Space the plants about 3 to 4 inches apart. However, to help them grow well, have around nine plants per square foot.
• Cut the Overcrowded Leaves: Only cut the greens of weaker or crowded plants. Do not pull them by hand, as this can harm nearby roots. 

Care Tips for Home Growing Beets

Proper care is essential for the healthy harvest of beet plants. It ensures the better and fresher production of beets. Here are some factors to be considered:

1. Light 

Beets grow best in full sunlight and need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. However, they can handle a little shade but work better in full sun. Gardeners need to place the pot on a stand or crate near a window to ensure the proper light when growing indoors. However, rotating the pot often will also help the plants grow smoothly. 

2. Water 

Beets need about one inch of water each week, depending on the season, soil, and beet variety. Sandy soil dries out quickly and requires more frequent watering, while clay soil holds moisture longer. 

Gardeners need to water seedlings often until they get strong. Then, they can continue every 7-10 days. They can stick their fingers into the soil to check if beets need water. Further, mulch also helps keep the soil moist and cool.

3. Soil 

This plant needs light, rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Hence, removing rocks, clay, and weeds for healthy roots is better. However, gardeners can also add boron to the soil with compost or seaweed extract to avoid black heart, which causes deformed leaves and spots on the roots.

4. Temperature and Humidity 

Beets grow best in temperatures between 50 and 85°F and can handle light frost. To keep them healthy, it is important to maintain moisture in the soil and ensure good airflow around the plants. This helps reduce the risk of fungal infections. However, the beet plant does not need much humidity if soil and water conditions are met. 

5. Fertilizer

If the soil lacks organic matter, it is best to use a fertilizer after two weeks. Gardners must avoid using too much nitrogen fertilizers, which can cause large leaves but smaller roots. However, liquid or granular fertilizers work best because they won't disturb the roots. Over-fertilize is unnecessary, as it can cause wilting, slow growth, and yellow leaves.

Harvesting and Storing Fresh Beets 

Beets are generally ready to harvest 50 to 70 days after planting. Once they reach a size of about one to three inches in diameter, similar to a golf ball, it is a sign to pick it. However, beets can be planted and harvested multiple times throughout the season. Some varieties are ready for an early summer harvest, while others can be harvested before the first freeze in fall.

Harvesting requires little attention to ensure the best quality beets. Depending on their size and use, here is a simple guide for harvesting beets:

• For Small-Scale Beets: Pull the beets with a hand or a potato fork on a small scale. However, if roots with leaves are needed,  trim the leaves with a knife, taking care not to pull up the plant entirely.
• For Beet Greens: They can be harvested throughout the growing season. Pick the greens when they're 2-3 inches long for fresh eating in salads. However, gardeners can pick it up at any growth stage if it is needed for general cooking. 
• For Roasting Beets: If roasting beets are needed, harvest them when they are about the size of a golf ball. This ensures they are tender and not too tough. 
• It is best to pick smaller beets, about 1-2 inches long, for pickling because larger beets are usually too tough to pickle or roast.

When beets are stored correctly, they help preserve their flavor and aroma. Here are some methods for storing beets to ensure their freshness:

• Use a Lidded Container: Keep whole beets in an airtight container or plastic bag with a lid. This helps them stay fresh for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. However, do not wash them before storing them to avoid extra moisture.
• Store in the Crisper Drawer: Put the beets in the fridge's crisper drawer for the right humidity. This process will make them stay fresh for up to 2 months. But make sure to trim their stems about two inches and leave them unwashed for proper taste. 
• Store with Peat Moss in a Root Cellar: For several months, store beets in a root cellar with sand, sawdust, or peat moss. Use a sturdy box and layer the beets. This method provides optimal storage conditions in a cool, dark, and dry environment, allowing the beets to remain good for several months.
• Use Freezer: For longer-term use, it is best to freeze the beets. Boil the beets until tender, then cool them in ice water. Peel, slice, or cube the beets, and store them in a freezer bag for up to one year.

FAQs

What is the best way to preserve beet greens?

Beet green can be preserved using multiple methods, such as refrigerating them in a plastic bag for up to two days or wrapping them in a damp paper towel to keep them fresh for five to seven days. However, if longer use is needed, it is better to freeze the beets. 

Are beet leaves better cooked or raw?

Although raw beets have more dietary nitrate, beet leaves taste better and are easier to eat when cooked. Hence, it is better to cook for a healthy and tasteful diet. 

Can beets be regrown from top leaves? 

Yes, beet greens can regrow from the tops, but the root won't regrow.

The Bottom Line

Beets are easy to grow vegetables with large green leaves and small, round roots. They thrive in almost any soil type and are ideal for gardeners with limited space. With proper harvesting and storage, beets stay fresh, taste delicious, and are packed with nutrients. Growcycle helps gardeners choose the best beet varieties and guides successful harvesting and indoor growing.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.