How to Grow Beets in Missouri

Missouri’s climate provides ideal conditions for growing cool-season crops like beets during the spring and fall. Beets are relatively easy to grow and offer both nutritious roots and edible greens. Here’s how to grow beets successfully in Missouri.

Missouri Growing Conditions

Missouri experiences a mix of cold winters and hot summers, so beets thrive best in the cooler weather of spring and fall. The key to success is planting beets early enough in spring to avoid the summer heat, or late enough in the summer to harvest before hard frosts arrive.

When to Plant Beets in Missouri

  • Spring Planting: For a spring crop, plant beets 4-6 weeks before the last frost date. In most parts of Missouri, this falls in mid-March to early April.
  • Fall Planting: For a fall harvest, sow beet seeds in late July to early August, giving the plants time to mature before the first hard frost, which usually arrives in November.

Beets can tolerate light frosts, making them suitable for extended growing into late fall.

Preparing the Soil

Beets prefer loose, well-drained soil to allow their roots to grow without hindrance. Heavy or clay soils should be amended to improve texture and drainage.

  1. Soil pH: Beets grow best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. You can test your soil and amend it accordingly.

  2. Add Organic Matter: Before planting, incorporate compost or aged manure to enrich the soil. Beets need potassium and phosphorus to grow healthy roots, but too much nitrogen can lead to excessive leaf growth.

Planting Beets

  1. Direct Sowing: Beets are best grown directly from seed. Plant seeds about ½ inch deep and 1-2 inches apart in rows spaced 12-18 inches apart.

  2. Thinning Seedlings: Once seedlings are 1-2 inches tall, thin them to about 3-4 inches apart to give each beet root enough room to grow. The thinned plants can be used as baby greens in salads.

Care for Beets

  • Watering: Beets need consistent moisture, especially as the roots develop. Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged to avoid tough, woody roots.
  • Mulching: Apply mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Fertilizing: Beets are light feeders, so if your soil is fertile, they may not need additional fertilizing. If you do fertilize, use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer (like 10-10-10).

Pests and Diseases

In Missouri, common beet pests include aphids, leaf miners, and flea beetles. Inspect plants regularly and use organic controls, such as neem oil or insecticidal soap, if necessary. Beets can also suffer from fungal diseases like downy mildew, especially in wet conditions, so ensure proper spacing and air circulation.

Harvesting Beets

Beets are ready to harvest 50-70 days after planting, depending on the variety. Harvest them when the roots are 1-3 inches in diameter. Beets that grow too large can become woody and tough. You can also enjoy the greens, which are tender and flavorful when young.