For some reason this crop is often my downfall. But this year appears to be different. The beets are looking good as pictured. Maybe the weather has been just right or I planted them at precisely the right time. Maybe I have just been lucky.
It's been my experience beets are subject to rot problems. So here is what seems to be the secret to this crop. Remember beet seeds are actually capsules with several seeds. So expect to do some thinning and don't sow the seeds too close together.
- Plant beets in a well drained soil. Till the ground and improved sandy soils with organic matter.
- Keep the soil moist but don't over water.
- Water only during the morning or during the day -- avoid later afternoon or night.
- Feed lightly but frequently.
- Keep leaf feeding insects under control.
Beets can be planted October through February. They seem to grow best during the cooler weather. So now is the bet time to start your plantings. Hopefully they grow as well as mine this year.