Yesterday, after the rain finally stopped, Lucy the Puggle Dog and I went outside and planted an entire 4×8 garden box full of beet seeds. Growing up I only liked pickled beets, but as I’ve learn to cook them over the last few years, I’ve really fallen in love with them.
The Handsome Husband and I both love them, but the kids? Well, they haven’t exactly acquired a taste for them just quite yet. But I’m sure at some point they will. 😉
This year I planted 4 varieties:
- Gourmet Blend {My favorite!}
- Chioggia {Looks neat when sliced!}
- Bulls Blood
- Early Wonder {Tasty beet greens}
If you have never grown beets before {or just need a little refresher, here are a few tips:
Brief description: Beets are a sweet and delicious root veggie.
Where to Plant Beets: Plant in raised beds and/or garden beds.
Planting Seeds: Plant outdoors 2-4 weeks before the average last frost. For best results, soak seeds for 8-24 hours before sowing–they will germinate faster. Plant seeds 1/2″ deep {about 3 seeds every 4″}. When seedlings are 2″ tall, thin to one every 4″.
Growing Tips: Beets are a cool weather crop. They can be sown in early spring or late summer for a fall crop. They like even moisture, so don’t let the soil dry out–mulching in the hot months will keep them cool and happy.
How to Harvest: Harvest when beets are 1-1/2″ to 3″ in diameter. You can harvest the leaves for salads, cooking or garnishes. You can also, obviously, harvest the actual beet. You can either pull them out or dig them out–it’s really a personal preference, though, if you dig them out, make sure not to slice the beet with your shovel. Wait to wash your beets until you are ready to use them, they will last longer that way.
Are you ready to start your garden but you’re not sure when you should plant your seeds or set out your transplants? Head on over HERE and you’ll be taken to a handy dandy chart that is broken down into what vegetables should be planted {or transplanted} each month in your area.
Anyone can do this. Dirt + Seeds+ Water = Food!
~Mavis
Here are a few of my Favorite Beet recipes:
Roasted Red Beet and White Bean Hummus
Roasted Beet Salad with Oranges and Walnuts
Interesting Fact: About 10-15% of all U.S. adults experience beeturia (a reddening of the urine) after consumption of beets. This is important stuff to know, don’t you agree? Ha!
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Carol says
I love beets! But, I don’t get red pee…. Thanks for ALL the info you give us!!!
Carol says
Another Carol that also loves beets. Given that our last frost date is May 15th, I won’t be able to plant mine for a coupla weeks yet.
Yum!
PattyB says
Me too! I live in Highlands Ranch, CO… Where are you?
ElissaV says
Hey Highlands Ranch! Im in Colorado Springs, CO!
Heidi says
Beets are one of my favorite veggies. I’ve fallen in love with beet, goat cheese and walnut salad. Yum….I’m getting hungry just thinking about it:)
I’ve never canned them myself but this year I will give it my best shot. I’ve been planting them in the garden every 2 weeks. Hoping to start harvesting next month.
Kristina says
We love beets! This year I will have to try growing the golden beets. Harvested last falls crop in February and made the best Borscht! Yum!
emily says
I planted beets last week with my daughter on a particularly sunshiny Colorado afternoon. Today, those seeds are tucked in under a couple feet of new fallen snow. Oh, how I’m ready for spring!
Michele says
Mavis- Do you have any good recipes for beet greens? I hear they are edible.
Veronica says
I put them in smoothies raw. You can also cook them any way you would cook collard greens or mustard greens.
Sakura says
I heard that Swiss Chard is part of the Beet family, anyone know if that’s true? I love beets, family can’t stand them. Since I’m the gardener I grow them!!
Judy N. says
Love Love Love beets..get pink pee among and not just pee..LOL
Madam Chow says
I love beets. My mom used to make a salad with beets that even my brother would eat. Very simple: cooked beets (in the oven with EVOO, salt and pepper), sliced hard boiled eggs, salt and pepper, EVOO, and a bit of red wine vinegar. Gently toss it all together. Eggs will turn pink overnight. She’s leave it in the fridge and my brother and I would snack on it until it was gone. Sounds weird but it was very good.
Robin Schuler says
what is EVOO?
Aileen says
One of my favourite – check out Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Veg Everyday for some great recipes using beetroot, both savoury & sweet. I can vouch for the following – beetroot & walnut hummus; beetroot tea loaf; chocolate & beetroot icecream. I regularly make a Beetroot & Blackcurrant Cake which no one ever guesses has beetroot & is a great hit. Every year I make Beetroot Relish & Beetroot Pickle, love the combination of flavours when tailored with an Irish cheese board, YUM!!
Heather says
I love growing and eating beets! This is where your rice cooker will come in handy yet again. You can steam your beets whole with the skin on right in your rice cooker. When they are tender, take them out of your rice cooker and drop them into some cold water and slip the entire skin covering off. You’re left with a beautiful sweet whole beet. Yum!
Kristy says
My grandma always had beets when I was growing up. My favorite was the greens. She cooked them just like she cooked her spinach. Very Yummy.
Sandy C. says
Mavis, I made the most delicious Spicy Beet Bloody Mary last evening. Roasted the beets and put in the food processor with V8 juice, pepperoncini juice, lemon juice, ground pepper, Worcestershire, horseradish, ground garlic, vodka and celery. YUM!!!
Ashley says
O.M.G. If I wasn’t pregnant this would be my breakfast today, haha! I’ll have to remember to try making it sometime, thanks for the idea!
Cecily says
Just leave out the vodka and you can enjoy a virgin (no pun intended) bloody mary.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ll have to tell my husband, he’d probably love it.
Evelyn Hermann says
I love beets, my favourite way to eat them is just steamed skinned and then sliced and pan fried in a little butter salt and pepper! I love the tops too.
Veronica says
Thanks for the info about beeturia. It sure cleared up some confusion at our house!