Are you searching for a fast-growing root crop to plant in containers? Then why not trying growing beet that is simple! It is the answer to your need.
You don’t like the spicy bite of radish, although these roots grow crops fast too, the radish can yield sooner than beets.
The beet crop prefers cold weather and spring-fall then you will be allowed to utilize summer crops for growing containers crops after you harvest them. That’s wonderful! Let’s continue to learn how to grow beets in containers.
Choosing the container:
Here you have to consider a container for growing the beet in the garden in almost any climatic or soil condition is completely fine too.
The size of the container should matters when planting beets in them. If you consider the smaller container then the soil in it dries out and less room for its root has to grow.
Depth is the most important factor to consider when growing radish or beet in a container, but a container that is too large is also difficult to move and expensive to fill properly. Moving them from a small container to a larger container is something that plants hate, so it’s important to grow them in a permanent container,
However, you can use biodegradable pots like peat, newspapers, and other organic materials for transplanting if you like.
This material quickly decomposes in the soil, so the seedlings can be transplanted without removing from such a pot, without damaging the roots when handling.
Beets are ready to transplant when they have the first few true leaves, it is too late to transplant when they are older, which increases the likelihood of shock to the plant, resulting in stunted growth.
There must be enough space for the beets to grow normally. Therefore, it is very important to choose a container that is at least 10 inches deep.
When choosing a beet pot, make sure it has drainage holes and is deep enough for normal root growth. You must consider the successful growth of beets.
Preparing potting soil:
Beets can adapt to any type of soil but you prefer the better which is provided with rich in nutrients, well-drained, loose, and aerated soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
Beetroots are heavy feeders, therefore the initial potting soil of the plant needed with high nutrients and also the addition of some amount of soil amendment during the growing period such as compost and organic amendments that are the smart idea.
Also Read: Turnip Farming Information Guide
Location to Plant Beet:
Beets needed full sun and cold temperature to flourish. When the temperature increases the best way to cool the soil is the addition of a deep layer of mulch to the soil.
Hence, be sure about the plants receive full sunlight every day it will produce the best beet taste and which permits them to grow with their potential.
Planting Beets in the Container:
Prepare the Beet Container:
At the bottom of the empty container place the layer of small rocks which serves as the adequate soil drainage barrier. Make sure about the soil does not become waterlogged.
Filling the Potting Soil:
Fill the container with potting soil and if you want to remove any small pebbles, and gravels in the soil.
Pre-soak the Seed Overnight:
Usually, the beetroot seeds have a hard seed coat. Therefore, it requires much time to germinate. To speed up the germination process you have pre-soaked the seeds overnight in water. It will help to soften the seed’s hard coat. Then it allows the seeds to sprout fast.
Start Planting:
When sowing seeds, start at a medium depth in the container. You can sow radish seeds in any direction for a full harvest. Make sure there is at least an inch between the edge of the bowl and the beets.
Cover and Water the Seeds:
Sow the seeds well and cover the pot to keep the soil moist. After a few weeks, the beets will sprout.
Thinning of Seedlings:
When most of the seeds begin to sprout, trim the seedlings thinly to leave enough space about 3 inches apart.
Seedlings can be cut off the base of unnecessary seedlings with scissors or gently pulled out with your hands, but when pulling out, you need to be careful not to damage the remaining healthy beets.
Water the Plants Enough:
Now that the beets are laid, most of your task will be to water them as the plants grow.
You must keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Waterlogging can lead to the rotting of the beets.
Water the beets every other day in outdoor containers. Always try to cultivate the soil as best you can to determine if the plant needs water.
Adding Fertilizers:
It is essential to add fertilizers to your plant after a month and be sure about the instructions on the back of your fertilizer bag should be followed and get ready for one-time application.
This will increase sugar beet production and ensure a quality harvest.
Radishes quickly consume nutrients from the soil, so you need to fertilize them once during their growth.
Compost containing NPK equivalent or homemade compost is sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients.
Also Read: Why Are My Radishes Growing Above Ground
Proper Care for Growing Beets:
- Beets love bright sunshine, but they don’t like hot weather or dry conditions, so consider your climate when growing beets.
- Adding a deep layer of mulch to cool the soil is ideal when temperatures are too high.
- Water the plant to keep the beets soft and prevents discoloration.
- Use row cover to avoid problems such as pests and leaf diggers.
- Keep the plant organized by removing damaged leaves as it grows.
- Beets grow in nutrient-rich soil without additional fertilization. They produce larger leaves but smaller roots.
Harvesting the Beets:
- Most growers harvest beets once they are concerning an inch in diameter for delicious flavor, however no more than 2½ inches in diameter.
- Beets tend to become woody if left in the ground for too long.
- Dig the trench to see the beets are large enough to use.
- Hold the stem firmly to prevent bleeding that can get the plant wet when harvesting beets.
- In addition, just before severe frosts is the ideal time for harvesting. Store freshly harvested plants in a cool, dry place.