Sugar Beet (Beta Vulgaris)

The history of beet cultivation dates back to ancient times, as the plants were cultivated by the Greeks and the Romans. It was during the 1800s that sugar beets were cultivated as a commercial crop. This traditional favorite produces uniform medium sized 5-8 cm, (2-3") beets.  Tasty, sweet and smooth, it is a great storage beet that is also good for canning.  In the garden, sugar beets are quite easy to grow and they are adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. Maturing in about 80-90 days, the size of sugar beets can vary depending on growing conditions, but the roots can measure a few inches up to over a foot long, weighing a few ounces to 2-3 pounds for the bigger specimens. The thick skin of sugar beets is light brown, and the flesh is white or slightly yellow, containing an impressive 13 to 22 percent sucrose. The green tops can reach 1 to 1.5 meters tall. They are edible as well and can be cooked like spinach or used in salads. Sugar beets are very sturdy plants that produce a lot of food, both from below and above ground. Be mindfull that deer love this plant, as do livestock. Increase your food resiliency by making your own sugar.

Growing Instructions:

Biennial, usually grown as an annual.  Start Indoors or Cold Frame: 5-6 weeks before last spring frost.  Sow seeds 1.5 cm (2") deep in pots and transplant into garden 8-10 cm  (3-4") apart.   Direct Sow seeds when the soil has warmed to 5°C.  Space seeds 15 seeds every 30 cm.  Thinning seedlings progressively until your beets are at least 10 cm (4") apart to allow for growth. Space rows 30-45 cm (12-18").  Harvest beets when they are showing 3-5 cm in diameter above the soil. Will remain tender even at 8-10 cm (3-4")in diameter.  Harvest greens when 5-8 cm (2-4") tall.

Soil Conditions: Well-drained soil that is fertile. Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 Planting Depth: Sow seeds 1-2cm (½-1”) deep. Germination: 7-14 days. Height at Maturity: 20-30cm (8-12”) tall. Days to Maturity: 55-70 days. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist. Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade. Spacing after Thinning: Thin seedlings to 10-15cm (4-6”) apart.