Beet greens
Beet greens, encompassing all plants in the beet family, are a canvas of vibrant root colors from deep red, pink, and white to yellow and orange. Their leaves, in an array of shades, make them not just a culinary delight but also an ornamental beauty. With the exception of the Sugar Beet, which is primarily for sugar production, all other varieties are versatile and can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or canned. Their leaves and stems are equally edible, offering a wide range of culinary possibilities.
While we primarily consume the leaves and stems of spinach and Swiss chard, not the root, I’ve included them in this chapter. If you look closely, the leaves and seeds of beets, Swiss chard, and spinach share a strong resemblance. This versatility makes them a valuable addition to any garden.
Swiss chard, a personal favorite, is a testament to resilience. It thrives in unexpected places, from road cracks to near rubbish bins. It’s the plant that ensures you’ll never be without food in your garden. Its versatility in the kitchen, from pasta to soups to savory pies, makes it a must-have in any garden.
Planting and harvesting brassicas
Planting and propagating
Beet seeds, like those of spinach and Swiss chard, can be sown directly in the garden bed. Each beet’ seed’ is a cluster containing multiple seeds, often producing several plants from a single seed. To ensure healthy growth, it’s crucial to plant the seedlings with proper spacing from the start or thin them once they reach about 2–3 inches in height. This knowledge and practice will lead to a bountiful harvest.
- Greens-focused planting: Thin the seedlings about 2–3 inches apart.
- For root harvesting, it’s important to thin the seedlings 3–4 inches apart. This allows enough space for proper root development, ensuring a healthy and bountiful harvest.
Beet greens grow best in loose, well-draining, and fertile soil. They prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0) soil with compost or well-rotted manure – be careful that the manure is not too fresh because they don’t like it if there is too much nitrogen.
Once the plant reaches its full potential, it will grow taller, produce flowers, and eventually set seeds. Allow the plant to dry out naturally before collecting the seeds. Store the seeds in a dry, cool place, such as a paper bag, for planting in the next season. Adequately stored seeds can remain viable for several years.
Sunlight
These crops are usually sown in the spring when temperatures are mild. However, some varieties can be planted in late winter. Remember that winter varieties typically do not perform well in hot summer weather; they may fail to grow correctly or go straight to flowering (bolting).
Watering
Beets require consistent moisture, especially when grown alongside leafy greens. Ensure that the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Beets are susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of infection. Mulching can also be very effective for keeping the soil moist.
Harvesting
We can start harvesting beet greens when the leaves are about 4–6 inches tall. For baby greens, harvest even earlier when they reach 2–3 inches. Use scissors or a knife to cut the outer leaves, leaving the inner ones intact so the plant can continue to grow. This method allows for multiple harvests throughout the growing season. If you plan to harvest greens and roots, be careful not to cut too many leaves at once, as this can limit the plant’s ability to develop a healthy root – aim for a balanced harvest, leaving some foliage for the plant to photosynthesize and continue growing.
Companion planting and interplanting with beetroot plants:
Beets grown primarily for their greens can be effectively interplanted with other crops. Since beet greens grow tall and provide partial shade, they can be strategically planted to create a natural shade for nearby plants during the hot summer. When using beet greens for this purpose, select varieties for warm-season growing, as winter varieties are more likely to bolt (go to seed) prematurely in high temperatures.
From my experience, Swiss chard and spinach can be interplanted with any other crops, always based on the variety and adequate season.
Proper spacing is essential for beet varieties that are grown primarily for their roots. Crowded plants won’t develop well, and growing beets too close together or other plants may result in small, misshapen roots. Give these root varieties enough space for healthy development, ideally about 2-3 inches apart from other plants for optimal growth.
The best companion for beets:
- onions and garlic
- lettuce
- bush beans
- radishes
- Brassicas
Beets shouldn’t be planted near:
- pole beans and peas (due to their competition for phosphorus)
- field mustard (Mustards can release chemicals into the soil that may inhibit the growth of beets)
Harvest times
Baby Beet Greens: 20–30 days.
Mature Beet Greens: 40–60 days.
Ongoing Harvest: Beet greens, like spinach and Swisschard, can be harvested multiple times throughout the growing season as long as the plant remains healthy. Regular harvesting of the outer leaves encourages new growth.