Growing them for the first time & the seeds are just germinating. What's the typical fertilization for them?
Frank
Beets
Hi Frank!
I grow beets mainly for the greens, but am organic and fertilize with fish emulsion every two weeks (foliar). I believe the secret to big beets (if you grow them for the beets - lol) is to make sure you thin them to the recommended spacing. If they are crowded they will be small.
Something higher in Phosphorous and Potassium would probably be beneficial as they are a root crop...
Hopefully we have some beet growers here;o)
I'm growing some too, at the request of my sister-in-law. If I ever get the seeds ordered. I'm eyeing the Chiogga cause they look so pretty.
Thinning and rapid growth in cool weather, they don't like heat, is the main scenario for beets. Otherwise they not anymore demanding than any other garden vegetable. Any source of nutrients with an N-P-k ratio of 1-1-1 will do fine, whether it be composted cow manure or 10-10-10. THINNING IS VERY IMPORTANT. You need them be about 4 inches apart to grow good roots.
Those are some big 'ol beets Farmerdill!
OK - thanks.
You can use the thinnings as an early spinach.
Or pickle the small beets.
Frank, for fertilization beets require medium size doses of phosphorus and potassium but smaller amount of nitrogen. To much nitrogen will give you lush tops but small roots. Next thing is beet seeds are dried fruit containing as many as eight seeds. Some seed companies sell decorticated seeds, which are single seeds which have been removed from the fruit. There are also monogerm cultivars that produce only one fruit. So check your type and be ruthless when thinning because crowded beets will not develop good roots. 4 inch spacing has worked great for me.
Butch
fachetint, sounds like tomato fertilizer would fill the bill. Thanks.
That's what I use about every 2 weeks liquid, 4 weeks granular.
Butch