How to Grow Beets from Seed
As a source of both tender greens and brightly coloured, fleshy edible roots, beets are a welcome addition to any garden.
Culture: Beets thrive in rich, sandy loam with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The best growth and colour formation occurs in the cooler temperatures of late spring and early summer.
One packet sows approx. 6m (20′) of row. For continual harvest, sow seeds 1.2cm (1/2″) deep and 2.5cm (1″) apart in two week intervals beginning when the soil has warmed to 7C (45F) and stopping in mid-July.
Each beet seed is actually a corky fruit with 2 or 3 seeds contained within it. It is important to thin the young seedlings to 7-10cm (3-4″) apart in order to provide enough room for proper root formation. Use the leaves of plants thinned as a source of tender, edible greens.
For top quality roots, maintain even soil moisture as a lack of water leads to woody roots that often split when it rains or when water is applied. Overwatering can lead to excessive leaf growth and pale or small roots.