Beets (Beta vulgaris) are plants grown for both their roots and greens are fall within the amaranth family (Amaranthaceae). They were formerly assigned to the goosefoot family (Chenopodiaceae) under the older Cronquist taxonomic system and are still known as “goosefoot vegetables.”
Beets have three important cultivar groups which include sugar beets, garden beets or beetroot, chard, and mangelwurzel (a fodder crop). Although three subspecies of B. vulgaris have been identified, all of the important cultivar groups fall into the subspecies B. vulgaris subsp. vulgaris.
Modern cultivated beets were developed from the wild sea beet (B. vulgaris subsp. maritima) which grows wild along coastal areas in Europe, Eurasia, and North Africa including regions that touch the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
Beets prefer cooler temperatures and work well as fall and spring crops in temperate climates. Swiss chard is the only cultivar that can handle the heat of the summer. Due to their lineage as coastal plants, they are very tolerant of salty soils. Most can handle moderate drought as well.
Are you looking to add beets to your garden? Use our growing, care, and harvesting guides down below to get started. Happy gardening!
If you’re planting for spring or fall, don’t forget to put beets on your list! From ruby-red to gold and even white varieties – and even sweeter, less beety tasting types – learn how to grow, harvest, cook, and even get healthy with these colorful roots right here at Gardener’s Path.
If you don’t know how to manage an outbreak of Cercospora leaf spot, it can ruin not only this year’s beet crop, but those for years to come. It renders beet greens inedible and can affect neighboring vegetables in the garden, like chard and spinach. Read on to learn how to deal with this destructive fungal condition.
Looking for a crop that can feed your animals, makes a tasty sweetener, and can be used in salads and side dishes for dinner? Meet sugar beets. This close relative of the familiar table beet has so much to offer the home gardener that it deserves a chance in the spotlight. Learn how to grow your own in this guide.
Hunting for a root vegetable teeming with health benefits? Look no further than the beet. This earthy vegetable contains several key nutrients that are vital to our health. With a plethora of cultivars to choose from, you’ll be eager to add them to your garden. Read on to learn about what this veggie has to offer.
Dealing with beet diseases is frustrating, and some of them can destroy your harvest. From bacteria to viruses, there are lots of potential pathogens you may face. With the right knowledge, you can tackle most problems before they get out of hand. Read more now to learn how to identify and tackle your garden woes.
Beet pests can completely derail your harvest. From maggots that chew up the roots to miners that tunnel through leaves, there are plenty of bugs to watch out for that can quickly destroy a healthy plant. This article will arm you with the knowledge you need to identify and eradicate the most common beet foes.
There’s nothing worse than nurturing your beets all season long, only to discover at harvest time that they’re too small or totally deformed. This article will help you understand why your beets aren’t picture-perfect, and what to do about it to avoid this devastating problem next time you try growing beets.
Do you want to plant some new beet varieties in your garden? Delicious and nutritious, there are many different cultivars available in different shapes and colors from the popular ruby-red roots to golden, striped, and white types. Check out our roundup of 17 top picks and choose your favorite. Read more now.
Growing beets in containers both indoors and out can be a fun, delicious project for you and the kids to do year-round. Planting beets in pots allows you to provide exactly the right growing conditions this tasty root needs for a healthy, hearty harvest. You don’t want to miss our step-by-step guide! Read more now.
Are you curious about harvesting the leaves from your beet plants to use in the kitchen? Cooking up tasty plant-based dishes with this often overlooked source of fresh greens is a great way to reduce food waste and add another healthy vegetable to your diet. To learn how and when to harvest beet greens, read more now.
Juicy, vibrant, and packed with nutrients, beets are one crop that’s worth growing in abundance in your garden. Luckily, harvesting this delicious root is easy and options for preservation are almost endless. Read more now for tips and tricks on how to harvest and store beets, plus some fun recipe ideas to try.
Are you interested in expanding your repertoire of leafy green vegetables in the garden? Then colorful Swiss chard is for you. Cold and heat tolerant, it produces multiple harvests per season, and can be eaten cooked and raw in a variety of dishes. Learn how to cultivate it in your garden, here on Gardener’s Path.