It can be incredibly frustrating when you find that your favorite fruit or vegetable is out of season, but it is easy to be mistaken when it comes to season dates due to just how many fruits and vegetables there are out there!
Beets are a vegetable that can be particularly tricky to grasp when it comes to knowing the right seasonal dates.
With this in mind, we are going to be looking at exactly when beets are in season as well as take a closer look at beets in general so that you have all the information you need should you want to start growing your own. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What Are Beets?
Beets (Beta vulgaris)or Beetroots are a vegetable that belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. They are typically round or oblong and come in various colors, including red, yellow, and white.
Beets have a sweet and earthy flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked, and they are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate and potassium.
Beets are often used in salads, soups, and juices, and their leaves can also be eaten as a leafy green, making them a great vegetable choice for a healthier diet and lifestyle in general.
When Are Beets In Season?
Beets are typically in season from early spring to early fall due to being a cool-season crop. This means that as soon as the soil can be worked, beets can be planted.
However, the specific time can vary depending on the location and climate. In general, beets are ready to harvest about 50–70 days after planting.
Beets can tolerate light frost and can be planted in the fall for a fall harvest in some climates. Because beets are root vegetables, they are best grown in well-drained, sandy soil and require regular watering.
Beets do best in full sun, but they can also tolerate partial shade.
Growing Your Own Beets
Growing your own beets can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here are some tips for growing beets in your garden:
- Choose the right location: Beets prefer well-drained, sandy soil and full sun, but they can also tolerate partial shade.
- Plant at the right time: Beets are a cool-season crop and can be planted in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. They can also be planted in the fall for a fall harvest in some climates.
- Space the seeds correctly: Beets can be planted in rows or blocks, and they should be spaced about 2–3 inches apart. Thin the seedlings to about 3–4 inches apart when they are about 2 inches tall.
- Keep the soil moist: Beets require regular watering, so make sure to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Fertilize as needed: Beets prefer a soil pH of 6.0-6.8. They require regular fertilization, especially with Nitrogen.
Tips For Maintaining Your Beets
Maintaining your beets includes regular watering, fertilization, and pest management. Here are some tips for maintaining your beets:
- Watering: As mentioned, beets require consistent moisture, so make sure to water them regularly, especially during dry spells. Water the soil, not the leaves, to prevent disease.
- Fertilization: Beets prefer a soil pH of 6.0-6.8 and require regular fertilization, especially with that previously mentioned nitrogen. Apply a balanced fertilizer when you first plant the beets, and then again when they reach 3–4 inches tall.
- Weed Control: Beets can compete poorly with weeds, so keep the area around the beets free of weeds by hoeing or cultivating.
- Pest Management: Beets can be affected by pests such as aphids, flea beetles, and root maggots. To control pests, use row covers, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.
- Disease Management: Beets can be affected by diseases such as leaf spots, powdery mildew, and downy mildew. To prevent disease, make sure to space the plants correctly and water the soil, not the leaves. If a disease does occur, remove affected leaves and dispose of them.
- Harvesting: As mentioned, beets are typically ready to harvest about 50–70 days after planting. You can tell when they are ready by checking the size of the bulb. The bulb should be about 2–3 inches in diameter. To harvest, gently pull the beet from the ground, leaving about 2 inches of stem attached.
By following these tips, you can ensure a healthy and bountiful beet crop.
Recipe Ideas For Homemade Beets
There are many delicious ways to use homemade beets! Here are a few ideas:
- Beet Salad: Grate or finely chop raw beets and toss with a vinaigrette or lemon juice and olive oil. You can add chopped nuts or cheese for extra flavor.
- Beet Soup: Roast or boil beets and purée them with broth and cream for a creamy and hearty soup.
- Beet Juice: Juice beets and mix them with other fruits and vegetables for a nutritious and flavorful drink.
- Borscht: A traditional Eastern European soup made with beets, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
- Beet Hummus: Mix cooked and mashed beets with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and spices for a unique and delicious hummus.
- Beet Pickles: Pickling beets is easy and delicious, you can pickle them in vinegar, sugar, and spices for a sweet and tangy snack.
- Beet Gratin: Slice or grate the beets, layer them in a dish with cream, cheese, and breadcrumbs, and bake in the oven for a meat-free gratin.
- Beet Risotto: Use cooked and puréed beets as a base for a creamy and flavorful risotto.
Beets are also great ingredients for desserts, you can make a beetroot cake, beetroot brownies, and beetroot ice cream if you so choose!
Experiment with different recipes, and you are sure to enjoy the unique and delicious flavors of your homemade beets.
Final Thoughts
So there you have everything that you need to know about when beets are in season, along with some tips for growing and maintaining your own beet garden as well as some beet recipes to try out.
Now that you know when your beets will be in season, you can start planning your own beet garden and preparing some of your own tasty recipes!
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- When to plant Strawberries in Seattle
- Golden Kiwi vs Green Kiwi – which is the best?
- The ultimate guide to growing Serrano Peppers in pots
- How to grow mushrooms in Georgia
- When To Pick Serrano Peppers
