Plant beets by sowing in cool soil, a half inch deep. Each seed is a cluster, so thin the seedlings so roots have about 2 to 4 inches.
Sow in cool soil, a half inch deep
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Sow several weeks before the last spring frost, then again for a fall crop | Waiting until the soil is hot and dry |
| Depth | Cover the seed with a half inch of fine soil | Burying the seed so deep the sprouts stall under a crust |
| Spacing | Drop seed 1 to 2 inches apart, then thin to 2 to 4 inches | Leaving every sprout in a tight knot |
| Start | Sow in place. The swollen root does not like a bent taproot | Moving a large transplant if you can sow in the bed |
Start beets from seed in the bed. Each “seed” is a dried fruit with several embryos, so several seedlings often come up from one spot. [1] Sun and watering after the stand is up are on How to Grow Beets.
When do I plant beets?
Sow several weeks before the last spring frost, in soil that has been worked, then sow again for a fall crop.
How to plant beets
Work the bed so it is loose on top, sow a half inch deep, and thin once the seedlings are big enough to handle.
- Rake the bed smooth. Sow seed a half inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart, in rows about a foot apart, or in a wide band. [2]
- Keep the surface from drying into a hard crust until the seedlings are up. A light mulch after sowing helps.
- Thin to 2 to 4 inches once the plants are 2 to 3 inches tall. Eat the extras as greens. Leave the stronger seedlings. [3]
- Sow a new short row every two to three weeks through early summer if you want a steady pull. [4]
- Water once to settle. Then follow How to Grow Beets for sun and watering.
How deep do I plant beet seed?
Cover it with a half inch of fine soil. Sandy ground can take a little more cover so the seed stays moist.
Why do several plants come up from one seed?
The beet “seed” is a cluster of fruits. Thin to 2 to 4 inches so each root has room.
What fails at planting
Sowing too deep, then letting a rain crust the surface, is the usual reason the stand is patchy. Leaving every seedling in place makes lots of tops and skinny roots. Do not bend a taproot in a transplant hole if you can sow in the bed.
Can I start beets indoors?
You can, about five to six weeks before you set them out, but sowing in the bed is kinder to the taproot. If you do transplant, set plants about 3 inches apart and keep the root straight.
If the soil can be worked and still feels cool, sow a short row today, a half inch deep, and plan to thin.
FAQ
Should I soak the seed overnight?
It can help in cool spring soil. Soak in warm water for about a day, then sow a half inch deep the same day.
What is monogerm seed?
Monogerm packets have one embryo per fruit, so you thin less. Ordinary seed still needs thinning.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Iowa State University Extension -
https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-beets-home-garden - [2] University of Maryland Extension -
https://www.extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-beets-home-garden - [3] University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture -
https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-6063.pdf - [4] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/beta-vulgaris-garden-beet-group/
This note is part of Beta Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors