Growing Beets in Containers: A Complete Guide from Seed to Harvest

Even with limited space, growing beets in containers can bring you the joy of fresh, homegrown vegetables. Whether you have a balcony, a patio, or just a sunny corner, beets are well-suited to grow in containers with the right care. Here’s everything you need to know, from planting the seeds to harvesting those delicious, earthy beets.

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Why Grow Beets in Containers?

Beets are a fantastic choice for container gardening because they are compact and adaptable. When grown in containers, you can easily control the soil quality, moisture levels, and sunlight exposure. This gives you more control and better results compared to traditional in-ground gardening. Plus, growing in containers often reduces the risk of pests and diseases that can be common in the garden.

Choosing the Right Container

Your container’s size and material matter. For beets, aim for a container that’s at least 12 inches deep to provide enough room for their roots. A 5 to 10 gallon container or grow bag will offer ample space for multiple plants.

If you’re using solid containers like plastic or ceramic pots, be sure they have drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water from pooling. If you’re using grow bags, you’re in luck – they naturally allow water to drain and promote good airflow to the roots.

Preparing the Soil

A nutrient-rich, well-draining potting mix is key to growing strong, healthy beets. Use a Seed Starting Mix to give your beet seeds a solid foundation. This type of mix is lightweight, drains well, and is specifically designed for seed germination.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to make your own mix, combine high-quality potting mix with compost or well-rotted manure to boost nutrient levels. Be sure to mix in some perlite or vermiculite to improve aeration and drainage – this is especially important for root crops like beets.
Beets thrive in soil that’s slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You can easily test the soil pH with a Soil PH Meter from your local garden center.

Sowing the Seeds

I prefer starting beet seeds in seedling trays before transplanting them into containers, as it gives you more control over the germination process and early growth stages.

Beet seeds are actually clusters that contain between two and five individual seeds, which means multiple seedlings can emerge from a single seed cluster. This is why managing your seedlings properly is important to avoid overcrowding.

How to Plant Beet Seeds

1. Soak the Seeds: Although it’s not mandatory, soaking beet seed clusters in warm water for about 12 hours can soften their outer shell and improve germination rates. This step often leads to more consistent results.
2. Prepare Your Seedling Trays: Fill the trays or small cups with seed-starting mix. Be sure to check that they have proper drainage.
3. Plant the Seeds: Place 1-2 seed clusters per cell about half an inch deep. Lightly cover them with soil and give them a gentle mist of water.
   
4. Set the Right Conditions: Keep the trays in a warm area with indirect light. The soil should be consistently moist but never waterlogged.
5. Germination Time: You should start to see sprouts in about 5 to 10 days if the temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F (15°C to 21°C).

Thinning Seedlings

Because beet seeds are clusters, thinning is crucial to ensure each plant has enough room to develop. Once your seedlings are about 2 inches tall and have their first set of true leaves, it’s time to thin them.

In each cell, select the strongest seedling. Gently pull out the weaker ones, making sure to remove the roots as well. Don’t worry – pulling them out won’t harm the remaining seedlings. After thinning, you should have one strong seedling per cell, ready for transplanting.

Instead of tossing the thinned seedlings, why not add them to a salad or sandwich? They’re delicious and packed with nutrients!

Transplanting Seedlings

Once your seedlings have developed two or three true leaves and are around 2 to 3 inches tall, they’re ready to move into their final container.

1. Hardening Off: Over the course of a week, gradually introduce your seedlings to the outdoors by placing them outside for a few hours each day. This helps them get used to the new environment and prevents shock.
2. Preparing the Container: Fill your chosen container with potting mix, leaving about an inch of space below the rim. Water the soil thoroughly to prepare it for the seedlings.
3. Planting: Create small holes spaced about 3 to 4 inches apart. Carefully lift each seedling from the tray, keeping the root ball intact. Place each one into its new hole and gently firm the soil around it.
4. Aftercare: Water the seedlings well after planting to help them settle in.

Optimal Growing Conditions

• Place your container in a spot where it will get at least six hours of direct sunlight every day.
• Beets do best in temperatures ranging from 50°F to 75°F (10°C to 24°C).
• Keep the soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogging. It’s best to water at the base of the plant to prevent wetting the leaves, which can lead to fungal issues.
• Adding a thin layer of mulch can help the soil retain moisture and regulate temperature.

Fertilizing

For healthy root development, mix a balanced, slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time. This gives your beets the nutrients they need to start growing strong roots.

As the season progresses, you can apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer every four to six weeks. This keeps your plants nourished without encouraging too much leafy growth, which can happen if you overdo it with nitrogen.

Be careful not to add too much nitrogen, as this will promote more foliage growth rather than root formation, which is what you want to avoid when growing beets.

Organic fertilizers like compost tea or seaweed extract are excellent alternatives. They offer a gentler way to feed your plants and improve soil health over time.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Pests like aphids and leaf miners can sometimes be a problem. Aphids can be easily dealt with by spraying your plants with a mix of water and mild dish soap. Leaf miners can be more destructive – remove any affected leaves right away to prevent the spread.
To keep diseases at bay, make sure there’s good airflow around your plants by spacing them correctly. Watering in the morning will allow the leaves to dry off during the day, which also helps prevent fungal growth.

Harvesting Your Beets

Beets are usually ready to harvest about 50 to 70 days after planting, depending on the variety. The best time to pick them is when the roots are between 1.5 to 3 inches in diameter.

To harvest:

1. Loosen the soil around the beet using a trowel or garden fork.
2. Grasp the beet by the base of the greens and gently pull it out.
3. Cut the greens about an inch above the beetroot.
4. You can store beets in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Don’t forget that beet greens are edible too – they taste great whether raw or cooked.

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