Beets ( How To Grow )

              Hello and welcome back here today on Garden The Easy Way, this is Ken and Marilou.    

              Today Marilou and I would like to talk about a very good eating garden vegetable, that is not talked about a lot. Beets are just over look and they should not be, they are delicious. We will also share with you all on how to plant Beets.  

              Beets are a root crop, and they are different varieties, some of the most popular beets are Detroit Dark Red, Bull's Blood and Chioggia. Whichever one you choose to plant in your garden, you will be happy you did. Just like everything in a garden there are some things you need to know.  

              Beets do not like hot weather, and you should plant early in the spring. But you can plant and grow beets in the summer if you have shade over them after 6 to 7 hours of full sun.    

              For Best Results on Growing Beets:  

1. Plant in rows, Beets are a root crop, so you will need to dig down 12 inches, using your garden tiller, work up the soil well so the root has plenty of room to grow. Add about 2 inches of aged cow or horse manure and 2 to 3 inches of compost using your garden tiller mix up well. Beets prefer a sandy soil, with a pH between 6.5 to 7.5.  

2. Using your garden rake, level out your rows, picking up all rocks and roots and any grass.  

3. Now you are ready to plant, using your garden hoe, make your rows, down the center of the tilled soil, not too deep, you will sow your beets only 1/2 inch deep. Sow your rows 3 to 5 inches apart. Always water well after planting.    

4. After 5 to 10 days depending on the variety you plant and the temperatures, seed should begin germinating, put down a thin layer of straw over the top, water well the thin layer of straw will help keep the moisture in. Do not cover them with too much straw or they will not come up.    

5.  After the seedling come up, you need to thin the seedling out, leaving the healthy seedling to grow, thin to about 5 to 6 inches apart.    

6. Straw between the beets and on both sides of your rows about 2 to 3 inches. After beets are 4-6 inches, the straw will help hold the moisture in, and help keep the weed out.  

7. Water well after putting straw down. Never let the soil go dry, beets like a lot of moisture, not soggy, but wet.  

8. Beets have their best flavor when harvested at about 1 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter. If you let your beets get bigger they will loose their delicious flavor.  

9. Days to harvest depend on the beets you plant, but don't worry, beets are a fast growing vegetable.  

                                      ( Enjoy Your Delicious Beets!)    

               Well that's it for today, we hope to talk here again tomorrow on Garden The Easy Way. Until then, this is Ken & Marilou wishing you all Happy Gardening Always.