Growing Beets in a Cold Climate: Sowing, Thinning and Avoiding Bolting
Beets are a two-for-one crop: sweet roots and tender greens, both ready in under two months. They grow well in cool weather, but they have a few quirks, from clumped seedlings to bolting in cold soil, that are worth knowing before you sow.
The short answer
- Sow directly about 2 weeks before your last frost, once the soil is at least 10°C.
- Sow about 1 cm deep and thin to 8 to 10 cm apart.
- Sow three times, two weeks apart, for a steady supply.
- Harvest roots at 5 to 7 cm across, before a hard freeze.
Based on the University of Saskatchewan beet guide.
Soil temperature matters
Beets germinate best around 20°C, in 5 to 8 days. Sowing into soil below 10°C, or a spell of two to three weeks below 7°C once plants have a few true leaves, can make beets bolt (go to seed) instead of forming roots. Waiting for 10°C soil is worth it.
Why beet seedlings come up in clumps
Each beet “seed” is actually a cluster containing three or four seeds. Sow thinly, about 3 to 5 cm apart, and expect several seedlings from each spot. Thin to one plant every 8 to 10 cm; the thinnings are excellent in salads.
Keeping the seedbed moist
Like carrots, beets need steady moisture to germinate. Water once or twice a day in dry weather until seedlings are up, then give about 2.5 cm a week.
Varieties
- Red (NDSU, via USask): Detroit Dark Red, Red Ace, Merlin, Cylindra, Bull’s Blood, Sweet Dakota Bliss.
- Gold: Boldor, Touchstone Gold, Burpee’s Golden.
- From USask trials: Red Cloud, Ruby Queen, Moneta, Pablo.
- Containers: Early Wonder Tall Top in a pot of about 8 litres.
Weeds and pests
Keep beets weed-free for the first 4 to 6 weeks; young plants compete poorly. A row cover after germination keeps leaf miners from tunnelling through the leaves.
Harvest
- Roots: 50 to 75 days depending on variety. Pull at about 5 to 7 cm across; bigger roots get woody.
- Greens: pick a few outer leaves at any time and leave the centre to keep growing.
- Before frost: beets are less frost tolerant than carrots, so lift the last of them before a hard freeze.
Storage
Cut tops to about 2 cm, do not wash, let roots cure a day or two, then store near 0°C with high humidity. In the fridge they keep for months in a bag. Keep them away from apples. See our guide on storing root vegetables over winter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant beets?
Sow directly about two weeks before your last frost, once the soil is at least 10°C.
Why do beet seeds come up in clumps?
Each beet seed is actually a cluster of three or four seeds. Sow thinly and thin seedlings to 8 to 10 cm apart.
Why are my beets bolting?
Sowing into soil below 10°C, or two to three weeks below 7°C after plants have true leaves, can trigger bolting.
What size should beets be harvested?
About 5 to 7 cm across. Larger roots tend to become woody.