Growing Beets

Beets are an under appreciated vegetable. Baked beets are a sweet, rich, flavorful treat that is easy to prepare. Red beets pickled in a raspberry vinaigrette are delectable, but the health benefits of the humble beet are numerous.

8-10 lb. per acre or 1 oz. to 100 ft. row. Packet will sow 20 ft. Soil: should be rich, deeply plowed, preferably heavy loam. When
to: Plant as early in the spring as possible (beets will stand light frosts) or may be started in hotbed and transplanted for extra early. For a
continuous harvest, plant at 3-week intervals to Aug. 1. Rows: 16″-20″ apart. Depth: 1″- 1 1/2″. Thin: 2″-3″apart. Beets for greens are sometimes grown in the greenhouse during the winter months or planted thickly in the garden. Minimum soil temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit at 4 inch depth.

Good companion crops are onions, kohlrabi, carrots, lettuce and cabbage. Bad companions are beans, peas and sage.