Care – What needs to be done?
Once the roots have grown larger, you should water sparingly, as too much water will stimulate leaf growth too much. However, during dry periods, you may need a little more water. Hoeing and weeding are also important to keep the rows consistently free of weeds. It's best to fertilize once or twice with an algae-based foliar fertilizer to provide the nodules with the necessary minerals.
Harvest – What should you consider?
The young varieties are harvested from early July until the first frosts, while the later varieties are harvested in September and October. When the first beets reach the size of a chicken egg, you can pull some of them from the rows. The remaining plants then have better growing conditions, and even the small plants are ready to eat.
Digging up the mature roots is best done with a digging fork. Cut off the stem base and the root, and let the beets rest in the bed for two days to allow them to lose moisture. Storage in a cool, dry place, such as a cellar, is recommended.
Mixed culture – What are good neighbors?
Good partners are garlic, celery, cabbage, dill, fennel and beans (except runner beans).
