Sure, beets are good for you. But they're also a delicious and beautiful addition to your garden! Learn how to plant beet seeds, grow them in the ground or in pots of dirt, harvest those tasty roots when they're finally ready, and then find great ways to cook with them.
How to Plant Beetroot
In the past, people would plant beets by pulling them out of the ground and replanting them. We now know that this is not a good idea because the leaves contain much-needed nutrients for the beet. The best way to plant beets is by removing the seedlings from their container, making sure they are very dry and placing them in moist soil.
Beets can be planted in early spring once the ground has thawed. You should wait until the danger of frost passes before planting them outdoors or else they will freeze and die. You can also plant your beet seeds indoors six weeks before you plan on transplanting them into your garden bed, which is around the time that your last expected frost occurs in your area.
You should plant beetroot once the ground is warm enough to be dug up comfortably, with a temperature of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit or more. You can tell when the soil is warm enough by placing your hand inside it, one inch deep. If you are unable to tolerate the heat, you can purchase insulated gardening gloves at your local seed store or hardware store.
For best results, the recommended planting depth for beetroot is one inch. It is preferable that the soil be tilled several times before planting to loosen it up and create a good environment for growth. You should also remove any weeds that may be present; they can quickly choke out your beetroot if left unchecked.
How to Grow Beets
Beets require deep, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 or higher in order to grow successfully. In fact, they do not tolerate any type of acidity whatsoever and will simply rot if placed in acidic soils. You will know that your soil is too acidic if it has a smell like vinegar when you first dig it up. To increase the level of alkalinity in your dirt, you can mix in certain types of substances such as gypsum, lime, and peat moss.
You should keep an eye on your beets throughout their growing season to make sure that they are getting enough water. They will wilt quickly if there isn't enough water present and then turn brown before dying completely if they don't get watered in time.
Soil moisture can be measured by sticking your finger into the soil 2 inches deep, then testing it with a moisture probe. The probe should be able to penetrate easily when the soil is moist enough. Beets also need at least 4 hours of sunlight each day to grow properly so make sure they are not placed in areas that are shaded by trees or other objects.
How to Harvest Beets
Beetroots can be harvested at just about any time of the year, but most people prefer to do it during the cooler months so that they don't ruin their crops by exposing them to too much sunlight. Remove the roots from your garden bed in the same way as you would if you were digging up potatoes. Make sure to loosen the soil well with your shovel beforehand so that it comes out easily.
When removing your beets from their container, make sure that no dirt clings to the roots by washing them thoroughly under running water and using your fingers to brush off any lingering particles of earth.
What do Beets Taste Like
So, what do beets taste like? Well, they're actually quite versatile. As their first flavor in the ground form, you can use them for salads or other side dishes. You can also roast them, boil or sauté them to bring out their earthy natural sweetness. You can even pickle them to make a tasty treat!
How to Store Beets
Beets are very delicate and can spoil quickly if they are not stored properly. The best way to store beets is by using a plastic container or bag and storing them in the coldest section of your refrigerator (which is usually near the back). You should also make sure that no other fruits or vegetables are stored with your beets, as the ethylene gas they produce will cause them to spoil much more quickly.
If you are too late and cannot harvest your beets at their peak quality, there are still a couple of things that you can do to use them up before they go bad. You can either freeze them for later consumption or pickle them in an acidic solution (like vinegar).
Beets are extremely easy to freeze. All you have to do is wash and chop your beetroots, then store them in a freezer bag or airtight container, making sure not to crowd the root vegetables together. The best way that I've found to chop beets is by placing them on a cutting board, then using a large knife to carefully remove the root tip and skin. The roots can then be cut into thick slices or thin strips for easier storage.
What are Beets Used For
Beets are used for a variety of things. One area where beets are used is when making beet salads. Beets also can be roasted, boiled, or sautéed to bring out the earthy natural sweetness that they have. They can also be pickled to make tasty treats.
Beets actually do have sugar and it tastes slightly sweet. The best way to cook beets is by roasting them; however, there are a few ways to eat raw beets. One method is to either finely grate the beet or cut it into thin slices, then add a small amount of vinegar and olive oil to make a tasty salad.
What are the Health Benefits of Beets
One of the main nutrients that beets have is folate. Folate helps your body produce and maintain new cells, which is essential for healthy organ growth such as in the liver, heart, and kidneys. The folate present in beets also helps break down amino acids so that your body can properly use them to rebuild proteins, which are essential for healthy hair and nails.
Yes, the leaves of beets are actually edible and very nutritious. Not only do they taste good, but they're filled with important vitamins that help boost your immune system to help protect against colds and other common ailments.
Beets are versatile vegetables that can be stored and eaten in many different ways. They're great for roasting, pickling, or boiling because of their earthy natural sweetness. If you want to keep your beets fresh longer before harvesting them at peak time, store them in plastic containers or bags with the coldest part of the fridge (usually near the back). Be careful not to mix any other fruits or vegetables with your beetroots - they produce ethylene gas which will spoil beetroot quicker than normal!