When to plant beets in spring How to plant beets in spring in open ground? Photos and videos, examples

Many annuals and biennials vegetable crops gardeners prefer to grow through seedlings. However, there are crops for which the method of planting directly on the garden is more often used. This is especially true of beets and other root vegetables. How to plant beets with seeds in the open field in spring, and even so that it quickly sprouts and so as not to thin it out later?

There are several agrotechnical points that it is desirable to take into account when sowing. They relate to the processing of seed material, soil preparation on the site, compliance with the sowing pattern, as well as the choice of the optimal variety. With the right approach to this gardening business, it is possible to achieve friendly shoots, active plant growth and a high yield in the fall.

When and how to plant beets with seeds in open ground

Most gardeners are interested in how to plant beets with seeds in the open field so as not to thin out. Proper and rational sowing can save not only planting material, but also time. The last resource is very important, since there is always a lot of work in the country and no one wants to spend precious hours on work.

To achieve this goal, several conditions must be met, the first of which is right choice seeds, more precisely the determination of their viability. After all, it makes no sense to sow "dummy" - this is a waste of time and effort.

Seed germination test

Do not forget that the seed material of vegetables retains its germination capacity for two years. But it is better, of course, to take seeds collected the previous fall for sowing. If they are purchased, then you should definitely look at the date of production. But even if you yourself grow beets for seeds, checking the germination does not hurt.

First way. Pour salted water (3-5% solution) into any container and drop the seeds there. In a few minutes, “empty”, unsuitable for sowing, will float to the surface. The good ones will sink to the bottom.

The second way. Spread the seeds in a thin layer and pass over them with an electrified stick. Light pacifiers will be attracted to it, specimens with good germination will remain lying.

The third way. Beet seeds are placed on moistened paper or cloth. Cover with a second layer on top. Every day the material is wetted. After 8 days, evaluate the result. If 60-80% of the total sprouted, then the seed material is considered good.

Preparing seeds for sowing

The best varieties

Before you start planting beets in open ground, it is highly desirable to prepare the seeds. First, it is necessary to correctly determine the choice of variety. It depends on when you get the crop and what quality. There are three groups of varieties. The most popular and in demand among gardeners, according to reviews and comments on the forums, are:

1. Early - Detroit, Red ball, Libero, Red flat, Bohemia, Cold-resistant.
2. Mid-season - Bordeaux 237, Egyptian flat, Don flat, Bona, Borschevaya, Detroit.
3. Late - Renova, Mulatto, Mona, Single-growth, Cylinder.

Calibration and soaking

How to prepare beet seeds for planting? To do this, just follow a few steps. At the very first stage, it does not hurt calibration. For this purpose, only large intact specimens are selected. If there are a lot of seeds and it is difficult to manually calibrate them, then they are sifted through a colander or a large sieve. Small specimens are discarded.

The next step is soak. Do I need to soak beetroot seeds before planting? This question very often arises when growing and caring for beets in open ground. Of course, you can do without soaking. But still, this process significantly speeds up germination. Given that the seedlings of this culture do not appear very quickly, such pre-sowing treatment will not hurt.

How to soak beet seeds before planting, more precisely in what? To do this, you can use various disinfectant and stimulating solutions. The temperature of the liquid should be slightly above room temperature. As suitable use:

• potassium permanganate solution (1 g per 5 l of water);
• boric acid solution (1 g per 5 liters of water);
• copper sulfate (1 g per 5 liters of water);
• ash solution (a large spoon per 1 liter of water);
• infusion of calendula and chamomile;
• growth stimulants (Epin, Zircon, etc.)

First, the seed material is soaked in a container with a solution for 10-12 hours. Then the cotton fabric is moistened, the seeds are poured out in one layer and covered with the second half of the fabric. Top can be covered with polyethylene. They put the greenhouse on the battery or just in a warm place. Periodically, the contents must be ventilated so that mold does not appear. As soon as the first white "spouts" of sprouts have hatched, you can start land work.

Coating

Coating can also be done before sowing in the spring. This treatment of beet seeds before planting helps to get earlier and more friendly shoots faster, since the nutrient shell substances act as stimulants. In addition, the embryo at the first stages of development receives additional nutrition and protection from low temperatures.

Dragging is as follows. Beet seeds are dipped in a solution of liquid mullein or paste. Then they are poured into a container, into which nutrient soil is gradually added, consisting of soddy soil, humus and crushed mullein in a ratio of 3: 7: 1. Superphosphate (15 g per 1 kg) is also added to this mixture.

When adding the nutrient mixture, shake the container so that it sticks to the seeds. When the granules reach a size of 4-5 mm, the pelleting can be completed and beet seeds can be planted in open ground. This method of preparation will be of interest to those who are looking for an answer on how to plant beets so that they quickly rise and grow stronger.

seed hardening

If the vegetable is sown in early spring, when the soil has not warmed up enough, you can use the method of cooling or stratification. Such hardening will make the seed germs more resistant and ensure early shoots. To do this, the seeds are first soaked for several hours in a small amount of water, and then placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator or in the snow, wrapped in a wet cloth.

You can also stratify slightly pecked seeds. Cooling is carried out for 2-3 days, periodically mixing the contents. After the specified time, the beet rudiments are slightly dried and sown on the beds.

Preparing the site for sowing beets

Before you start planting beets, you need to prepare the soil. This vegetable does not like a heavy substrate with an acidic reaction. Therefore, before sowing, it is important to add fluffy lime (0.5 kg) to the soil. The soil is well dug up and loosened. If the soils in the plots are depleted, then you can additionally add humus (2-3 kg). It is better not to use manure and compost. Also suitable for beet fertilization mineral mixture, consisting of ammonium nitrate (20 g), superphosphate (30 g) and sodium chloride (15 g). All doses of fertilizers are indicated per 1 sq. meter.

For a red borscht vegetable, it is better to choose beds well-lit by the sun, which are oriented in the north-south direction. With such an exposure, the sprouts will receive a maximum of sunlight and quickly increase their phytomass.

It is necessary to take into account the rules of crop rotation. Beets are best grown after crops such as peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, grains and legumes. But if last year the beets themselves grew in the garden, or carrots, potatoes, cabbage, corn, spinach, then you should find another place. If this point is neglected, then the risk of infection of new crops with infectious diseases is high.

When to sow beets in open ground

Even if you have carried out pre-sowing hardening of seeds, it is worth observing the timing of planting beets in open ground. As a rule, sowing begins after spring weather sets in with an air temperature of at least +10 degrees.

The very first sowing dates in open ground may occur in mid-April. But in this case, the bed must be covered with polyethylene. The harvest will be early in this case. When can you sow beets again? The optimal landing time is considered the beginning - mid-May. During these periods, the earth is already well warmed up and shoots appear together.

If you missed the time when it is recommended to plant beets early in the open ground in spring, then you can do this at the end of May or even in June. In this case, the vegetable will yield a crop a little later, but this will not affect the quality. Moreover, such root crops are best suited for long-term storage.

Use in the spring two terms for sowing beets in open ground at once. The interval between them is about two weeks. This will be a safety net against freezing and shooting of plants.

For those who adhere lunar calendar, the following information may be useful: it is recommended to plant root crops from the Full Moon to the New Moon, that is, in the third and fourth lunar quarters. Such planting dates guarantee the maximum accumulation of nutrients in the underground organs and their active growth.

The scheme of planting beets in open ground

Planting beets in spring in open ground with seeds is carried out on the basis of a seeding rate of 1.5-2 g per 1 sq. meter. If you previously checked the germination and took a batch of seed material with a high percentage of germination, then you will not need to resow. In this case, you do not have to spend time thinning.

How to plant beets, so as not to thin out later? It is most convenient to use paper tapes. To do this, you need to take strips of toilet paper 3-4 cm wide and spread the seeds on the paste. The distance between individual specimens should be 7-10 cm.

You can not use paper tapes, but immediately plant the beets in the ground. In any case, the planting depth is on average 2-3 cm. The distance between beet rows should be 25 cm. In large-scale crops, a different scheme is used - the distance between rows is 45 cm. But in a private garden, denser cultivation is suitable.

In order not to thin out, you need to choose the right variety for planting red beets. For example, to solve this problem, the variety "Single-growth" is suitable. The seedlings of such beets give only 1-2 sprouts, so plantings do not thicken.

If, nevertheless, thinning cannot be dispensed with, then this procedure is carried out in two stages. The first - 6-12 days after the appearance of sprouts. The second time you should thin out when 5-6 leaves appear on the sprouts.

Growing beets through seedlings

Of course, sowing beets in open ground with seeds is convenient. However, you can use the seedling method. This culture tolerates picking and transplanting well. Sow beets for seedlings a month and a half before planting in open ground. Do it at home in boxes or in heated greenhouses.

How to plant beet seedlings? The planting pattern is denser than directly into open ground. The distance between rows is 4-5 cm, and between individual specimens in the strip is 1-2 cm. The sowing depth is 2-3 cm. as a compactor to the main culture.

About a week after germination, the seedlings need to be thinned out. For this, it is more convenient to use scissors - unnecessary sprouts are simply cut off at the soil surface. The remaining beet sprouts should not touch each other with their cotyledon leaves.

After the first or second true leaves have formed, you can start picking. In the third or fourth leaf stage, beets are planted on permanent place into open ground according to the scheme 10 × 25 or 15 × 25 cm. Transplantation must be done very carefully so as not to damage the tap root of young plants.

For your attention, another useful video that reveals additional secrets regarding beet sowing:

When talking about this red vegetable, one cannot fail to mention the fact that beets are a good indicator of soil acidity on garden plot. How can you use it to determine this indicator, read - you will find a lot of interesting and useful information for gardeners.

These are the main points on how to plant beets with seeds in the open field in spring. Knowing and fulfilling them, you do not have to spend time thinning out plantings or, conversely, overseeding. After all, it is no secret that a successful start of cultivation and care guarantees resource savings and a rich harvest.

Good luck in spring work in the garden!

Table beet is an indispensable root crop in cooking. But not everyone knows how to properly plant it and care for the crop. Let's take a closer look at how to plant beets and care for them.

Varieties and features of beets

The most popular variety of this root vegetable is the table beet. That is what every summer resident grows. It has a red fleshy root crop.

In addition to the dining room, there are also the following types:

• fodder beet;
• sugar beet.

These two types of root crops are rarely cultivated by summer residents, only if there is a need to feed animals with them. They are not suitable for human consumption.

There are a lot of varieties of table beets. For our area, it is better to choose varieties of domestic selection:

• burgundy 237,
• gourmet,
• crimson.

They are best tolerated climatic conditions and have good yields.

How to prepare the soil before planting beets

Since beets are a very light-loving plant, therefore, for sowing, you need to find an area unshaded by tall plants in the garden. The soil before sowing the root crop needs to be fluffed up a little to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen.

In addition, mineral fertilizers must be applied. Manure is not very suitable for beets, as nitrates will get into the root crop from it. The best option There will be the use of fertilizers such as:

• ammonium nitrate;
• potassium chloride;
• superphosphate.

When planning a place for planting beets, it is necessary to take into account seasonal crop rotation. Beets can be planted in the same place no more than 4 years later.

The best predecessor for it might be:

• cucumbers;
• white or cauliflower;
• potatoes;
• tomatoes.

After these plants, many minerals remain, which are necessary for the growth of beets.

Preparing seeds for sowing

Seeds also need to be prepared for sowing. To do this, they are soaked in a special solution.

A solution to stimulate growth is prepared from 1 liter of warm water, at a temperature of 30 degrees, to which 1 tablespoon of ash is added, one teaspoon of soda and superphosphate, and a fourth of a teaspoon of boric acid.

We leave the seeds in this solution for a day, after which they need to be washed in clean water. After washing, the seeds should be wrapped with a damp cloth and left in a warm place for 3 days. After this time, the seeds are ready for planting.

When to plant beets

Beets can be planted in spring or autumn. In spring, seeds can be planted in open ground only when the earth reaches a temperature of 10 degrees, at a depth of 10 cm. This usually happens in early May. But experts advise sowing beets in early June, so it will be better stored in winter.

Autumn sowing is carried out in October - November. The main thing is to have time to do this before the first frost.

Beet root planting methods

There are 2 ways to sow beets:

• immediately into open ground;
• seedling cultivation.

The first way is the most common. Beets are sown in rows, at a distance of about 45 cm. The sowing depth is within 2-3 cm. The distance between seeds should be no more than 13 cm.

You can plant more densely, but when seedlings appear, it will be necessary to thin out the crop, since several plants grow from one seed at once. It is necessary to remove the weaker ones in order to give more nutrients and moisture to the remaining ones.

Growing seedlings involves getting a crop earlier than when sowing in the ground. In the greenhouse, seeds are prepared and planted in the same way as when planting in open ground. After the plants reach 5 cm in height, the weakest are removed from them.

When the height of the selected plants reaches 8-9 cm and they have at least 4 leaves, you can transplant to the garden. To do this, the plants are cut with the ground from the greenhouse and seated at a distance of 17 cm from each other in rows. The distance between rows should be at least 33 cm.

Beet care and pest control

A growing plant needs care and fertilizer. Watering beets often is not worth it. This can lead to cracking of the root crop and loss of its color and taste.

During the growth period, beets can also be additionally fed with mineral fertilizers diluted in water.

Beets are very fond of care. It constantly needs to be rid of weeds and protected from pests. Great harm inflicts aphids on her. You can fight the pest folk ways. An infusion of onion and dandelion husks, which are poured with boiling water in equal proportions, helps well. With the cooled infusion, you need to sprinkle beet leaves. Aphids also do not tolerate wood ash.

Harvest beets after the leaves begin to turn yellow. The main thing is to have time to collect before frost. Excess soil is removed from root crops before storage and leaves are cut off. Beets are best stored in the basement, stacked in separate boxes and sprinkled with sawdust.

Beets are considered one of the most popular vegetables among gardeners and housewives. Beetroot crop is very useful, as it contains a lot of vitamins. Before planting beets with seeds in open ground, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of growing this plant in order to get a good harvest.

Before you start planting, you need to familiarize yourself with the popular varieties for growing. There are three main types of this vegetable:

• canteen;
• stern;
• sugar.

Forage and sugar varieties differ in that they are often used in industry for cultivation in the fields. In gardens, only table plant species with rich burgundy pulp are planted. There are several common table beet varieties that are often planted in summer cottages:

1. Darkie. Among the high-yielding vegetables, the Smuglyanka variety is distinguished, which allows you to get 10-12 kilograms of crop per square meter. The shape of such root crops is round and weighs more than 400 grams. The advantages of Smuglyanka include the duration of storage of the crop and taste.
2. cylinder. Refers to varieties with an average fruit ripening period. Beetroot got its name due to the red and cylindrical fruits that grow up to 20 centimeters in length. The cylinder is advised to plant and grow outdoors, as it tolerates low temperatures and does an excellent job with dangerous insects.
3. Detroit. An early ripening variety, the fruits of which have time to fully ripen within two months. Ripe beets weigh about 100-300 grams and are colored burgundy. The main advantages of Detroit are its high productivity and resistance to pathologies.

Landing dates

Each gardener who is going to grow beets must determine the timing of planting in open ground. After all, the quality and quantity of root crops grown depend on a correctly defined planting period.

When planting seeds in open ground, pay attention to the temperature of the soil. It should not be too low, as the seed germinates very poorly in frozen ground. For normal germination of seeds, temperature indicators should be about 3-5 degrees. In such conditions, the first shoots will appear within a month. If the earth warms up to 12 degrees, the process of emergence of seedlings will be reduced to one and a half weeks. In the ground with a temperature of 25 degrees, the seeds will germinate in 3-4 days.

If seedlings are used for planting beets, they pay attention not to the temperature of the soil, but to the date. Sprouted seedlings are planted in the garden no earlier than May. March or April is dominated by unfavourable conditions for planting young seedlings. The last date for planting beets is the first half of June. It is not worth planting later, because, due to hot weather, seedlings may not be accepted.

If the beets will be grown in greenhouse conditions, they can be planted at any time.

Choosing a place in the garden

predecessors

When choosing a landing site, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the predecessors suitable for it. Experienced gardeners it is recommended to plant a plant in areas where nightshade crops were previously grown. These plants do not consume many trace elements from the soil and rarely get sick. That is why many claim that they are the best predecessors of beets.

However, there is a detailed list, after which you should plant beets in the garden:

• tomatoes;
• potatoes;
• pepper;
• blue.

Vegetable growers are also advised to choose for planting areas where cucumbers were previously grown. The roots of this vegetable do not grow too deep, and therefore, after them, many nutrients for beet fruits remain in the soil.

Other plants that have a positive effect on beet growth include:

• zucchini;
• squash;
• legumes;
• wheat.

If you plant beets alternately with the listed plants, you will be able to save a sufficient amount of substances in the lower layer of the earth to obtain a quality crop.

Lighting

When choosing a suitable site for planting beets in the spring, pay attention to the illumination of the area. There are times when vegetable growers cannot determine the reasons why the bushes did not sprout, and do not know what to do. This problem often occurs if the plant was planted in shaded areas that are not illuminated by the sun. Therefore, for planting and growing beet seedlings, only the most illuminated parts of the garden are chosen.

When growing in greenhouses, the gardener himself must create all the conditions important for growing. To ensure a normal level of illumination, special fluorescent lamps are used.

What kind of soil does beets like

It is recommended to figure out in advance what kind of soil the young beet loves in order to determine the soil in which it will grow better. Experienced gardeners advise planting a plant in sandy loam or loam, as they manage to grow the largest crop. Also, the features of these soils include the ease of processing and long-term retention of moisture in the upper layers.

Some grow beet seedlings in soil with a high clay content. However, such soil is less suitable, as it warms up poorly and is poorly saturated with oxygen. This leads to a slowdown in the growth of seedlings and a deterioration in yield. Sandy soils that dry out quickly even at low temperatures are not suitable for vegetables.

Due to the rapid drying and high carrying capacity of the soil, the nutrients that the bushes need are washed out of the ground.

When choosing soil for beets, pay attention to its acidity. It should not be too high, as this leads to rotting of the root system. Also because of this, the absorption of minerals and other components worsens.

Sowing a root crop in open ground

So that when planting beet seedlings in open ground there are no problems, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of this process.

Soil preparation

Seeds will sprout quickly only if you prepare the soil in advance. Preparatory work on the site are held in the first half of spring, after the snow has completely melted. The soil is dug up, and a feeding solution prepared from ammonium, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate is added to it. On the square meter about 50-60 grams of fertilizer is consumed. Also, when preparing the soil, organic matter is added to the ground in the form of compost and fresh manure. When adding organic fertilizers, it is necessary to re-dig the site.

Seed preparation

Many are interested in how to quickly germinate beet seeds. To accelerate growth planting material its pre-sowing preparation is carried out.

When preparing beet seeds for sowing, the following solutions are used:

1. Superphosphate. To prepare the mixture, 80 grams of the substance is added to a liter of water. Then beet seeds are poured into a container with a mixture for half an hour.
2. From wood ash. This mixture accelerates the germination of seeds by 2-3 times. To create a solution, a liter is poured into a container boiled water and mix it with 100 grams of wood ash. Seeds are soaked in liquid for a day.

Planting process

Before growing, you must familiarize yourself with the beet planting scheme in advance in order to properly plant the plant.

Planting seeds or seedlings of beetroot begins with marking the rows on which it will grow. Then, on each row, small holes are created with a depth of 3-5 centimeters. They can be made by hand or with a small board. The distance between the holes is made at least 5-7 centimeters so that the bushes do not interfere with each other. After all the holes are planted with beets, the earth is watered with warm water.

Care rules

Not all gardeners know how many days after sowing beets sprout. The first sprouts are visible two weeks after planting. Immediately after the emergence of seedlings, fertilizing should be done so that the bushes grow better.

top dressing

To protect the bushes from pests and diseases, it is necessary to periodically fertilize them with top dressing. For the first time, fertilizers are added to the site when the first leaves appear on the bushes.

In this case, the following solutions are introduced into the ground:

1. Wood ash. When creating a feed mixture, a tablespoon of wood ash is added to 1 liter of water. The prepared liquid is enough to process a square meter of the garden.
2. Superphosphate. To prepare fertilizer, a spoonful of superphosphate is used per liter of water, and everything is thoroughly mixed.

Proper watering

When caring for beets, it is imperative to water the plants, since without soil moisture they grow worse. It is recommended to moisten the ground weekly (at least twice). It is necessary to spend about 20-25 liters of water per square meter of the site. Also, when growing a crop, after irrigation, loosening of the soil is carried out, which improves the flow of moisture to the lower layers of the earth.

thinning

For the first time, beet picking is done after the first leaves appear on the seedlings. During thinning, the leaves break through in a row so that the distance between the bushes is 5-6 centimeters. The next time the leaves are removed on the beetroot in two weeks. The last picking of beets in the garden should be done before the end of summer.

In this article, you will learn many useful tips for planting beets in the spring, namely: sowing seeds into the ground, seedlings of beets from seeds, both in open ground and.

Beetroot is a root vegetable that grows in the ground and has a fleshy root. Sometimes it peeks out slightly from the soil. For a person it is of great benefit, as it includes organic acids, especially fiber. Also, beets are added to their menu by diabetics, hypertensive patients, people with kidney stones and other abnormalities. Especially useful is freshly squeezed beetroot juice.

Which beets to choose for planting

The beet variety should be selected, depending on its further use. So, for example, fodder beets are planted for domestic animals, if any. Seeds of fodder beet are treated initially, then they are applied to the soil enriched with fertilizers. It is important to understand that this beet grows large sizes, so it is seated at a distance of 25 cm from each other, and between rows up to half a meter.

The table beet is used for eating. All varieties need good lighting. The Bordeaux 237 variety, which has been approved for cultivation throughout Russia since 1943, has been adopted as the standard in domestic selection among this crop.
But sugar beet is much more picky than the rest, soil with the correct structure, constantly enriched with fertilizers, is suitable for it.

Sowing seeds in the ground

Before planting seeds in the ground, you need to stimulate their germination by pre-soaking in cold water for 24 hours, or pour warm water no more than 40 degrees for only half an hour. After this procedure, you can already proceed to planting seeds. In spring, beets are planted in late April - early May.

Seeds are sown in the soil to a depth of no more than 3 cm, and between rows they maintain a distance of 8 cm for small fruits; large root crops will need a distance between rows of up to 35 cm. Despite the cold resistance of this crop, spring sowing should begin no earlier than the air temperature warms up to 8 ºC, and its further development will only occur at temperatures above 15 ºC.

Due to the fact that beet seeds are combined into seedlings, several pieces, timely thinning is required. This should be done as soon as the first leaves grow. After this event, the distance between the seedlings should be approximately equal to the length of a matchbox.

Thinned sprouts can be planted in one more row. After thinning, weeding is done and sprinkled with organic fertilizers. The second time the rows are thinned out when the diameter of the fruit reaches up to 2 cm, after which an interval of up to 10 cm is left from each other. This procedure is best done after watering.

Seedlings of beets from seeds

The seedling method can grow almost all varieties of beets. For this, seedling boxes are best suited, they can be installed both at home and in greenhouses.

They have a high content of vitamin C and carotene, many other bioactive substances. Early beets are on a par with such early vegetables like lettuce, for example. First you need to soak the seeds for three days for spitting, then they are placed in boxes on prepared moist soil, sprinkled with soil on top and kept in greenhouses.

Seedlings germinate three weeks after sowing in open ground. For good harvest, and the optimal size of the beets, seedlings should be planted at a distance of 5 cm from each other, and row spacing should be up to 27 cm. When the transplant is completed, you can water with a solution of humate.

When caring for seedlings, you need to maintain soil moisture and periodically ventilate. For early term ripening beets, sow areas under the film, usually at the end of April.

1. Before sowing beets in open ground, you need to choose a suitable site, loosen the ground.

2. The soil should be warmed up to 10 ºC.

4. It is good to plant beets in the place where tomatoes, cucumbers, and all legumes used to grow. Not suitable are places where beets or cabbage grew before, as they take everything nutrients from the soil.

5. To reduce acidity, you can enrich the soil with wood ash. It is necessary to prepare and fertilize the site since autumn.

6. The size of the final fruit depends on the planting density. Large root crops need space. But keep in mind that too huge fruits are impractical to use, and not so sweet.

Decide on the variety you want to plant, remembering the importance of properly prepared soil. Plant beets as seeds or seedlings, depending on the region of residence, following the recommendations for growing. Then the beets will delight you with good, tasty crops.

We invite you to watch a video on how to properly plant beets in the spring:

Beetroot is a widely known and healthy vegetable. It is easy to grow and has a long shelf life. In rather harsh conditions of our country, it provides us with the necessary vitamins during the harsh winter and during the period of spring beriberi. Subject to the conditions, if you care for and love the plant, planting this vegetable with seeds in open ground is not difficult.

Beets are planted different ways. It can be planted from seeds or seedlings. Do it in spring or autumn, it is important to observe correct timing. spring planting seeds in open ground in the 1st-2nd decade of May after the soil has completely warmed up.

If the seeds are placed in insufficiently warmed soil, the seedlings will begin to shoot and a good harvest can not be expected.

You can plant beet seeds in the fall, late October or November, it depends on your region. Landing is carried out when the air temperature drops to -4 degrees. You should not rush into planting, if the planted seeds wake up under the influence of heat, they will die.

Sometimes beets are planted with seedlings. With this method, the seeds are planted at home in special boxes. You can plant seeds in the country in a greenhouse or greenhouse.

Seeds for seedlings need to be sown in early April, a month before they can be placed in open ground. Planting beet seedlings allows you to get early harvest and save seeds, since sprouts that remain after thinning can also be planted on the beds.

The most popular varieties for growing in the country or garden

Beets may be sugar, fodder or table. Varieties of sugar and fodder are usually grown on an industrial scale and are not sown in summer cottages. On garden beds, it is more common to see table beets.

There are a lot of popular varieties, they differ in growth rate and storage time. All table varieties are distinguished by high taste and brightness of color. Here are just a few:

1. . An early variety, specimens are not very large with excellent taste. Root crops of bright burgundy color without rings on the cut, weighing about 200 g. The variety provides high yields.
2. . Mid-season productive root crop. Fully justifies its name. Red beets, cylindrical shape up to 16 cm in length. Disease resistant, long shelf life.
3. . Mid-season variety with excellent yield. Delicious, does not lose color when cooked. Weight 300-350g. Has good keeping quality.

Some varieties are great for the middle lane, others for the Urals and Siberia. When choosing seeds for planting, be sure to consider the weather conditions of your region.

Varieties to plant in Siberia and the Urals

In Leningrad and other cold regions are especially popular Merchant, Coldproof 19, Ordinary Miracle. These varieties are distinguished by excellent resistance to diseases and cold, high yields. The cylinder also took root well in these regions.

To plant in the suburbs

In the Moscow region and the western regions, many varieties are grown. Some gardeners prefer juicy early varieties that cannot lie until spring, but are very tasty and provide vitamins in autumn and winter. Others plant late varieties, less juicy, but stored for a very long time.

TO early varieties applies Red ball, Detroit, Mulatto. All of them give high yields, differ in intensity of coloring and good taste.

Bordeaux, Cylinder and Mona, also liked the Muscovites. These are later varieties, with high yields and wonderful taste, they are stored for almost a whole year.

Instructions for planting beets with seeds in open ground

Soil preparation

Before planting a vegetable according to step by step instructions, you need to prepare a bed for beets, do it autumn. Any sunny, open, well-drained place is chosen, on which cucumbers, tomatoes or onions grew before. The vegetable does not grow well in places where carrots or cabbage used to live. Does not tolerate neighborhood with celery and garlic.

You can plant a vegetable in the same place after 3-4 years. It does not tolerate waterlogging, it is better not to place the beds on clay soils. Sunny, well-drained areas for planting, what this vegetable needs for good growth.

The selected area is completely cleared of any parts of plants (roots, seeds, leaves). Humus is introduced into the soil, a complex of mineral fertilizers and the earth is dug up to the depth of a shovel. To make the soil less dense for beets, the soil is mixed with sand or sawdust. An excellent top dressing for a vegetable is wood ash.

Beets do not tolerate fresh manure at all.

If the soil in the selected area is acidic, add a little lime, changing the pH to neutral or alkaline. The optimal value for beets is 6-7.

In the spring, the soil in the garden is loosened with a rake and brought comprehensive mineral fertilizer . The culture needs nitrogen and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers, as well as pest control.

Planting seeds in spring

Seeds are sorted out and they need to be kept in solution for a day growth promoter or wood ash. For the preparation of which 2 tbsp. l of ash is poured with a liter of warm water, mixed well.

After 2 days, the solution is drained, it is possible to soak not only beets, but also seed material of other vegetables in it. Ash provides the seeds with a complex of essential minerals. After a day, they are washed and placed in a damp cloth, before planting.

On the bed, even grooves are carried out with a depth of 2-3 cm. These grooves are shed with water, some gardeners prefer warm water. When the water has been absorbed, large beet seeds are placed one at a time at a distance of 10 cm from each other and sprinkled with earth.

Beet seeds are multigerm, one beet seed gives 2 to 6 sprouts. Sprouted seeds are thinned out after the appearance of 2 leaves. The second time the procedure is carried out when the 4th sheet appears.

Autumn landing

Often, beet seeds are sown in open ground in the fall, when the air temperature drops. up to -4 degrees. In this case, the soil is prepared in the same way, but the bed is made high, 20-25 cm, so as not to be washed away by melt water. The grooves during autumn planting are deeper, 4 cm.

Seed material during autumn planting does not need to be soaked and the bed is not watered.

When planting in autumn, dry seeds are planted in dry ground.

Benefits of autumn planting:

• seed material perfectly tempered for the winter;
• early friendly shoots are provided;
• frees up time for other garden chores;
• harvest arrives much earlier.

This method has only one drawback, but it must be taken into account. Beet harvest planted before winter not stored for a long time.

To protect the seeds from frost, the bed is covered with straw on top, you can throw it with snow. In the spring, when the air warms up to + 7-10 degrees, the straw is removed. This method allows you to get an early harvest, even with a delay in spring heat.

Planting seedlings at home

Seeds are planted in special boxes or under a film in the country, a month before planting in open ground. Distance between rows 5-8 cm, between seeds 3-5 cm. When 2 leaves appear, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving the strongest sprouts, after the appearance of 4 leaves, it is watered abundantly, carefully, together with a clod of earth, transferred to open beds.

Before planting in the ground, the seedlings begin to harden off, removing the film daily and airing the sprouts at home. In order for the sprouts to get used to, they need 7-10 days.

Planted one sprout, after 10 cm. At a tender age, the sprouts take root perfectly in a new place. Such a successful method allows you to get a high, early harvest and save on seeds, because all sprouts can be planted.

At what distance and according to what scheme to plant in the ground

On narrow and long beds, the vegetable is often sown across, while the distance between the seeds 10 cm, and between rows 20-25 . This method makes it easier to care for crops. This is a one line method.

With the two-line planting method, two even furrows are made at a distance 25 cm from each other, then leave a free tape 50 cm wide. So alternate landing. A three-line scheme is also used when the vegetable is planted in 3 rows, through 20-25 cm. This is done to facilitate watering, weeding and loosening the soil.

To grow a large crop, beets need to be watered regularly and loosen the soil in the beds.

Beetroot is an unpretentious vegetable that gives excellent yields if you follow the described tips and secrets. Gardeners grow it in the southern regions, Belarus, the Chelyabinsk region, the middle lane and the northern regions. It is good, in the usual first courses, various salads, they make preparations for the winter from it.

It is remarkably stored, providing us with the necessary minerals and vitamins until the new harvest. It is able to purify the blood and normalize digestion. All these qualities have made beets popular with different peoples, and the history of its cultivation is calculated for many centuries.