Beet Seeds,
Crosby's Egyptian

Sow seeds directly outdoors 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost in spring, or in late summer for a fall harvest. Beets are frost-tolerant and grow best in temperatures between 50 F and 85 F. In regions with mild winters, they can also be planted in the fall for a winter harvest​.

• Direct sow beet seeds 3-4 weeks before last frost and again two weeks later.
• Plant seeds ½ inch deep and thin to 4-6 inches apart. Each individual beet seed is a cluster of several seeds, so thinning will be necessary.
• Sow again 10-12 weeks before the first fall frost date.
• Ideal germination temperature range is 50-85 F.
• Seeds germinate in 14-21 days.

• Amend the planting site with well-rotted compost
• Work the soil deeply, and remove rocks.
• Beets require neutral to slightly alkaline soil.
• They grow well in mild weather and can handle frost much better than excessive heat.
• To harvest this excellent storage crop, pull beets from the soil after a light frost when roots are larger than a golf ball.
• Store in a cardboard box lined with sawdust in a cool, dark, dry location.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Cutworms can be a pest of beets, chomping the plants at the soil level; sprinkle wood ash around plants to control cutworms.
• Keep plants evenly watered to avoid cracked roots.

• Beets are biennial, which means they don’t flower until the second year of growth.
• In the first year, when frost approaches, either try to overwinter them in the ground with floating row cover (a bit risky if you live in the north) or dig up the choicest plant before a freeze and store it indoors in a cool, dry, dark location until spring.
• Replant after the last spring frost and allow to flower.
• Beets are wind-pollinated and will easily cross with other beet varieties that are flowering, as well as with Swiss chards (which fortunately very rarely flower without assistance).
• Properly stored seeds should remain viable for 5 years.