Growing Beets in Containers | How to Grow Beets in Pots

Growing Beets in Containers is easy. This quick-growing vegetable doesn’t require much care and perfect for beginner container gardeners.

Choosing a pot

Use any type of container you find best with SUFFICIENT drainage holes. However, clay pots are an excellent choice.

• Growing beets is possible in small pots but ensure they are a minimum of 8 inches deep.
• 10 to 12 inches deep pots are IDEAL as they will encourage roots to develop!
• You can choose as wide a container as you want. The wider it would be, the more beet plants you can grow together.
• Window boxes or large rectangular containers with the minimum recommended depth are great options.

Best Time to Plant Beets in Containers

As a best practice, you can start planting beets in the spring, three-two weeks before the last (average) frost date in your area. You can continue to sow seeds every 3 to 4 weeks until the temperature starts to reach above 80 F (27 C).

Planting Time in a Hot climate

As beets are a cool-weather crop, those who live in warm, arid, subtropical, or tropical areas (USDA Zones 9b-12) should grow them in late fall, winter, and early spring.

How to Grow Beets in Pots

First thing first–Beets don’t like to be transplanted, so no role of seed trays! Pick desired pots and sow seeds 1/4 inch deep. Once they germinate and reach a significant height, select the healthiest seedlings and thin others apart to maintain the recommended 3 inches distance spacing.

To speed up the germination, you can also soak the seeds overnight in non-chlorinated water before planting. However, if seeds are treated with fungicide, avoid this.

When will They Appear?

The seedlings will emerge anytime between 5 to 15 days, depending on the growing conditions. Until then, keep the pots in a spot that is warm and receives mild sun.

Maintain the moisture in the soil. Once germinated, place the baby plants in the desired position, and later when seedlings grow up to 3 inches tall, thin them. To maintain the spacing recommendation mentioned below.

Requirements for Growing Beets in Containers

Position

Beets can be grown in full sun to part shade, but for optimum growth, pick a spot that receives full sun, or in simple words–at least 6 hours of sunlight is necessary. Also, make sure the spot you place your containers has good air circulation.

Soil

Soil that is loamy, penetrable, and promotes the development of large roots is best for growing beetroot in a pot. Make sure your soil is rich in nutrients, you can add compost and other organic matter to improve it. Also, avoid adding gravels or stones in the bottom layer when growing this root vegetable.

Watering

If you don’t want hard and sinewy beetroots, water regularly and evenly. To keep the soil slightly moist all the time. Ensure you do not let the soil dry out completely between the growing process and also avoid OVERWATERING.

Spacing

Maintain the 3 inches of distance between each plant from all directions for growing beets in pots successfully. You can grow each plant 2 inches apart if you’re growing it for tasty beet greens, but this will hamper the growth of beetroots. For your reference, a 12 inches wide rectangular pot can support around 4-5 plants.