The Best Way to Properly Harvest Beets
The best way you can harvest beets is to carefully pull them when they reach golf ball to tennis ball size, typically 50-60 days after planting.
They do not regrow after harvest and our experiments with harvesting show that they can become woody if you leave them in the ground too long.
The Simple Steps for Harvesting Beets
Check the Size: Gently brush away the soil at the top of the beet to check its size. We always do that to check if the beet is ripe.
Loosen the Soil: Use a garden fork to loosen the soil around the beets. We saw that you need to be careful, otherwise you will puncture them.
Pull Gently: Grasp the beet tops near the root and wiggle carefully while pulling upward to remove the beet from the ground.
Clean: Shake off any loose soil and rinse the beets gently. Avoid scrubbing them hard to prevent damage to the skin.
Storing Beets
To store beetroot, twist off the tops about 2 inches above the root, experts always do this because they want to prevent the tops from drawing moisture and nutrients from the bulb.
It is best to store them in a cool, humid place like a root cellar or refrigerator. They can last several weeks to a few months when you store beets properly.
Harvesting for Winter
For winter storage, harvest beetroot before the first heavy frost. Many types of beets can tolerate light frosts, but a hard freeze can damage the roots.
After harvesting, cure the beets in a dry, airy location for a few days before moving them to long-term storage.
Do Beets Regrow After Harvest?
No, Beets do not regrow after their roots are harvested even if you grow beets in containers.
The beet plant is a biennial, meaning it completes its life cycle in two years. In the first year, it produces the edible root, and if left in the ground, it will produce seeds in the second year. However, once the root is harvested, the plant can't regenerate.
How Long Until Beet or Beetroot Plants Are Fully Grown?
Beets typically reach full maturity and are ready for harvest 50-60 days after planting. This time frame can vary slightly depending on the beet variety and growing conditions it is similar when harvesting Romaine Lettuce or harvesting radishes.
Can You Leave Beets in the Ground Too Long?
Yes, leaving beets in the ground too long can lead to overgrown, woody, and less flavorful roots.
While beets can withstand a few light frosts and become sweeter with a bit of cold, it's best to harvest before they grow too large or before a hard freeze to maintain their quality. If left in the ground for too long, they may also become susceptible to pests and rot.
Sources
Nature and Sustainability uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies to support the facts we describe in our articles. Please read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
General Information on harvesting root vegetables: Harvesting and Storing Root Vegetables (sdstate.edu)
Beet general information and FAQ: Beta vulgaris - Wikipedia
When to harvest beets: When to harvest beets: for perfect and tasty results | (homesandgardens.com)
Tips on harvesting beetroot and extended information: How To Grow Beetroot | BBC Gardeners World Magazine
Share this article:
Article By:
Calin is in the garden industry for 5 years now and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He owns this website and is responsible for most of the content.