🍽 Overview
Crop: Beets
Common Varieties in OK: ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Chioggia’, ‘Golden Beet’
Planting Season: Early spring (February–March) and fall (late August–September)
Days to Maturity: 50–65 days
🎨 Trait Legend
Trait Symbol Meaning
🟦 Cool-season Grows best in spring or fall
🥕 Root crop Harvested for edible roots (greens are edible too)
🟩 Full sun Prefers full sun, tolerates partial shade
♻️ Dual-purpose Greens and roots both edible and nutritious
📏 Spacing & Soil
Row Spacing: 12–18 inches
Plant Spacing: 2–4 inches (thin early)
Soil Needs: Loose, fertile, well-drained; pH 6.0–7.0
Fertilizer: Avoid excess nitrogen (promotes greens not roots); use balanced or phosphorus-rich blend
🌱 Cultivars We Recommend
‘Detroit Dark Red’ 🟦🥕♻️
Classic deep-red beet. Uniform roots. Excellent for canning or fresh eating.
‘Chioggia’ 🟦🥕♻️
Italian heirloom with red-and-white candy-striped interior. Mild flavor.
‘Golden Beet’ 🟦🥕♻️
Bright yellow flesh. Sweet, earthy flavor. Doesn’t stain like red varieties.
🧠 Tips
Soak seeds overnight before planting to improve germination
Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding and encourage larger roots
Harvest greens young for salads, or let them grow into full tops for cooking
Mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Don’t wait too long to harvest — overgrown beets can get woody