ChenopodsAmaranthaceae
Beets.
Cool seasonDeer favorite
At a glance
The spec sheet.
- Direct sow / out
- Apr 15 – Jul 15
- Germ
- 5–10 days
- Days to harvest
- 55–70
- Spacing
- 3", rows 15"
- Depth
- ½"
- Square-foot
- 9 per square
- Qty target
- Two 4-foot rows for regular eating + pickling.
Plant
Direct sow. Each 'seed' is actually a cluster — thin to one plant per spot at 2" tall.
Care
Consistent moisture keeps beets from getting woody. Both roots and greens are edible; harvest greens sparingly to keep root sizing.
Harvest
At 2–3" for tender roots. Bigger get woody. Fall storage: harvest before hard freeze, twist tops.
Pickled beets are a NJ classic. Also roasted and frozen, root cellared, fermented (borscht base).
Companion planting
What beets likes, and doesn’t.
Good neighbors
- Bush beans
- Brassicas
- Garlic (improves flavor)
- Kohlrabi
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Mint (as mulch)
- Pole beans
- Spinach
- Chard (shared pests)