Cut again when leaves are at desired size (5–14 days, depending on variety). Cut about an inch above the soil to allow for clean regrowth, making sure to cut above the basal plate. Baby Leaf: Harvest with a knife when leaves reach desired size, about 3–6". HARVEST AND STORAGE: Roots: Fork or undermine, lift plants, wash and hydrocool, and store bunches up to 10 days at 32☏ (0☌) and 95% relative humidity. Rotate crops to prevent Cercospora leaf spot, which is especially important for bunching and baby-leaf beets. Internal breakdown or browning is most likely to occur in alkaline soils after prolonged hot, dry periods. DISEASES: Keep beets well-irrigated to prevent scab, the same disorder that affects potatoes, causing raised brown rough spots on the mature roots. When planting more seeds/inch, be sure to plant rows farther than 2" apart. Planting too densely can lead to overcrowding and stunted growth. Baby Leaf: Sow 1/4– 1/2" deep at 1–2 seeds/inch in rows at least 2" apart from midspring into late summer (fall where winter is mild). For a continuous supply of greens and small, tender beets, sow seed at 2-week intervals until 8 weeks before regular heavy frosts are expected. DIRECT SEEDING: Begin early sowings when soil has warmed to 45☏ (7☌). However, transplanted beets can bring earlier harvests if poor weather conditions persist and interfere with direct seeding. Beets transplanted using this method may not be as uniform as direct-seeded beets, and taproots will tangle, requiring the harvester to gently pull out the root while holding back the rest. Transplant 3" apart in rows 12–18" apart. Sow 1/2" deep, 2–3 seeds per cell in 72- or 128-cell flats. TRANSPLANTING: Sow seed in a cold frame or indoors in early spring, about 5–6 weeks before transplanting out after heavy frosts become infrequent. Baby-leaf greens can be grown throughout the season. Acute weather fluctuations will cause zoning (white rings) in the roots. In general, cool temperatures produce the best flesh color. Beets may have a number of anti-inflammatory effects.SCIENTIFIC NAME: Beta vulgaris CULTURE: First-rate crops grow quickly in light or loamy soils with a pH over 6.0. Eating beets may enhance athletic performance by improving oxygen use and time to exhaustion. This may lead to a reduced risk of heart attacks, heart failure and stroke. Beets contain a high concentration of nitrates, which have a blood pressure-lowering effect. They also contain inorganic nitrates and pigments, both of which have a number of health benefits. Beet Nutritionīeets are loaded with vitamins and minerals and low in calories and fat. They’re especially sweet in the fall, and a good seasoning only makes them better. But I hope you won’t give up on them just yet. Their earthy flavor can be an acquired taste. If you’re still on the fence about beets, I get it. When cooled, slice or cube and place beets in freezer bags or freezer container with a date label. Beets will last in the freezer for 8 – 12 months. Next you need to boil the beets for about 20 – 45 minutes depending on the size of the beets. The best way to store beets for long term use is by freezing them. To freeze beets, wash and remove stems leaving about 2 inches of the stem to prevent any bleeding. Do not pack down the soil over the top of the seeds. Place the seeds in the trench at about 1 inch apart. Reduce the spacing of the rows if grown in raised beds or if gardening intensively, space the rows only 6 inches apart. Smooth the surface of the planting area with a rake.Ĭreate trenches 1/2 inch deep with the handle end of a gardening hoe. Sprinkle the planting site with slow-release balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 and rake into the top couple of inches of soil. ![]() If the location puddles water, then create raised planting beds at least 12 inches tall. This improves the texture and drainage of the soil. Mix in a 2-inch layer of organic material such as compost or shredded leaves over the soil, if the planting area consists of clay soil. Use leaves beginning at 35 days, root at 55 days. ![]() The juice from Bull’s Blood is the only red food coloring allowed under Swedish law. Bull’s Blood is the darkest leaved strain of beets available to gardeners and very popular for adding to cutting green mixtures. ![]() This open pollinated beet is a rather new selection from the French variety Crapaudine.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |