Growing beets in Florida is not difficult if the conditions are right. Beets come in different colors and varieties, and you’ll find some easier to grow than others. The leaves that grow above ground are edible as well, and make a great sauteed snack when combined with tropical spinach.
| Beets | Beta vulgaris |
| Season (FL) | Fall, winter |
| Soil type | Well-drained, loose, slightly acidic |
| Light | Full sun, part sun; 6+ hours ideal |
| Water | Regular, not saturated |
| Mature plant size | 8-24” tall, 4-12” wide |
| Harvest in | 55-70 days |
Do beets grow well in Florida?
Beets will grow well in Florida in a location that gets 6+ hours of sunlight, as long as daytime temperatures don’t exceed 75°F. From my experience, beets can also be grown in partial shade, but the roots will grow much slower. I ended up harvesting them at golf ball size, to make space for new crops.
When to plant and harvest beets
For best results, beets should be planted when soil temperatures are above 50°F, which is most of the year in Florida. Beets can tolerate frost, making them an excellent all-winter crop in Florida. For a continual harvest, sow new seeds every 2-3 weeks from October to February, or until daytime temperatures exceed 75°.
Harvest greens regularly, not all at one time or roots won’t form properly.
In 7 to 8 weeks beets should be ready for harvest – or when roots are golf ball size to tennis ball size.
What you’ll need
To get started, find a patch of loose and fertile soil that receives plenty of sunlight. Seeds can be purchased online from these sources.
How to plant beets
Speed up germination by soaking seeds overnight or for 24 hours before planting.
Ideally beets should be planted directly in the ground so not to disturb the roots when transplanting.
Sow seeds a half inch deep and keep soil moist until germination.
Fun fact: each seed is actually a cluster of seeds, so thinning will be required for optimal root production.
Growing beets in containers
Beets can be an attractive container crop on a balcony or kitchen window, provided they get plenty of sunlight. The size of the roots will depend on the space available to grow. The leaves can also be harvested regularly, but not all at once as this could disrupt root growth.
Caring for beets
Each beet seed is actually a cluster of seeds. Thin your seedlings to 3-4 inches apart so each beet can grow to its full potential.
Suggested recipe for beets
Beet soup
Pickled beets
Cooked & chopped up beets in a salad
Sources