How to Grow Beet

Beginner-Friendly

Beta vulgaris

A dual-purpose cool-season crop — roots and greens are both edible. Quick-growing and tolerates light frost.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity
50–70 days
typical
Per Square Foot
9
Plant Spacing
8 cm / 3"
Sun
6+ hours
Water
1.0" / 25 mm
Fertilization
light feeder

Growing Notes

Direct sow 2–4 weeks before last frost. Soak seeds overnight to speed germination. Thin to final spacing.

Varieties & Cultivars

11 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Cylindra type

(1)
Balto Beet
50–60 days Open-Pollinated

doesn't bolt; good for fall planting; unique shape for slicing

Height
6–8" (15–20 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
5.3 oz (150 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Golden

(3)
Avalanche
50–55 days Open-Pollinated

does not stain like red varieties; smooth uniform 7-8cm round roots; excellent for pickling and roasting

Height
8–16" (20–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.8 oz (80 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years
Golden
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

does not bleed when cut; greens are excellent

Height
8–16" (20–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.6 oz (75 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years
Touchstone Gold
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

no zoning; mild sweet; improved germination over old golds

Height
8–16" (20–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.8 oz (80 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years

Golden red-fleshed beet

(1)
Strikbeet
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

striking visual contrast; sweet earthy flavour

Height
6–8" (15–20 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
5.6 oz (160 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Red

(5)
Bull's Blood
50–60 days Open-Pollinated

dual-purpose variety

Height
8–16" (20–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.5 oz (70 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years
Chioggia
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

mild sweet flavour; best eaten young

Height
10–14" (25–36 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.8 oz (80 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years
Cylindra
55–65 days Open-Pollinated

uniform slices; excellent for pickling

Height
10–16" (25–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
4.6 oz (130 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years
Detroit Dark Red
55–60 days Open-Pollinated

deep red throughout; stores well

Height
10–16" (25–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
3.5 oz (100 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years
Early Wonder Tall Top
48–55 days Open-Pollinated

flattened globe roots; good for bunching

Height
12–16" (30–41 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
2.8 oz (80 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
2–11
Seed saving
moderate
Seed viability
4 years

Round mini beets 4-5cm

(1)
Little Ball
50–60 days Open-Pollinated

good for baby beet harvest; attractive in root vegetable mixes

Height
4–6" (10–15 cm)
Yield / plant
—
Avg fruit
1.8 oz (50 g)
Support
none
Harvest
once
USDA Zones
3–10
Seed saving
easy
Seed viability
4 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside beet, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Garlic : Garlic improves beet growth and repels pests
Beans : Bush beans fix nitrogen that beets can use
Leek : Beets and leeks complement each other in root depth and growing speed
Onion : Onion scent deters beet pests
Spinach : Both thrive in cool weather and complement each other
Cauliflower : Complementary root zones; beets do not compete with cauliflower
Cabbage : Beets and cabbage have complementary root zones
Brussels Sprouts : Beets loosen soil with taproots and add minerals; complementary root depths
Kale : Beets loosen subsoil benefiting kale roots
Lettuce : Lettuce provides living mulch; beets grow in a different root zone
Radish : Radishes loosen topsoil benefiting deeper beet roots

Keep Apart

Square Foot Spacing

9 per sq ft

4" apart (3×3 grid)

View full spacing chart →

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