In order to achieve high results in growing beets when sowing their seeds in the spring for seedlings and in open ground, you need to follow several simple rules for preparation and sowing. This applies to both the soil and the seed itself.
It is no secret that beets can be sown both for seedlings or even in a greenhouse, and directly into open ground. You can try to do it both ways, and at the same time compare them for success.
Preparing the soil for sowing or planting beets in the ground
Beet seeds or seedlings are grown in soil prepared for this purpose in advance, in the fall. So, humus or rotted compost is added to sandy soil at the rate of 10 liters per 1 sq. m, as well as 1 tbsp. of superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
When growing beets on heavy clay soils, an additional 10 kg of peat and 5 kg of sand are added per square meter. If you need to reduce the acidity of the soil, add dolomite flour (200-400 g per 1 sq. m) or lime (200-400 g per 1 sq. m - for sandy soil or 300-600 g per sq. m - for loam and clay soil).
If you were unable to prepare the beds in the fall, in the spring, 3-3.5 kg of two-year-old compost, 5 kg of peat and two glasses of ash must be added per square meter during digging. The last component can be replaced with 1 tbsp. of superphosphate, 1 tsp. potassium sulfate and 1 teaspoon of urea or 1 tablespoon of complex mineral fertilizer, mixing it with 200-250 g of coarse sand.
Important! Fresh manure should not be added as a fertilizer for beets: this contributes to the accumulation of nitrates in the fruits and increases the risk of fungal diseases of beets.
After applying the fertilizer, the soil must be dug up well to a depth of 15-20 cm, then level the bed and make furrows 3-4 cm deep at a distance of about 30 cm from each other.
Preparing seeds for sowing
In order for beet seeds to sprout faster, they are soaked in a container with water, the temperature of which is 25-30 ° C, and kept there for two days. Twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, the water is changed.
If you place the seeds in a gauze bag before immersing them in water, it will be much easier to refresh the water and get the seeds out. If you don't have gauze at hand, you can strain the seeds through a colander.
The second option for germination is a wet napkin. Beet seeds are germinated there for 2-3 days, leaving the napkin in a room with a temperature of about 20 ° C. It is important not to forget to moisten the fabric in time so that the seeds do not dry out.
Thanks to this preparation, the beets sprout about a week earlier than when sowing dry seeds. However, if you decide to sow beet seeds for seedlings, then the stage of their preliminary germination can be skipped.
Sowing beet seeds for seedlings
If you decide to try this method, then you can start sowing around mid-April. By the time it's time to plant beet seedlings in open ground, the soil in your garden will have warmed up to the required temperature of 8-10°C (around mid-May). When sowing seeds for seedlings in a greenhouse, early April is also suitable.
The prepared soil is sifted and steamed in a steamer for an hour or watered with a solution of Fitosporin according to the instructions. The processed soil is poured into small boxes, lightly compacted and beet seeds are spread over the surface, and a layer of soil about 1 cm thick is poured on top. The soil is leveled and carefully watered - so that the seeds remain in the soil.
The crops are covered with polyethylene and left in a bright place with a temperature of 18-20°C.
Important! Despite the fact that the place for growing beet seedlings should be bright, it is still better not to put them on the windowsill - otherwise the seedlings risk stretching out.
After emergence, the seedlings are hardened by reducing the temperature to 14-16°C. A couple of weeks after emergence, they can be fed with any complex fertilizer for seedlings.
Seedlings need to be transplanted into open ground after they have 2-3 true leaves.
Note: it is best to plant beets in a place where legumes, cucumbers, potatoes, peppers, carrots, pumpkins or eggplants were previously grown. Experienced gardeners who grow seedlings for sale claim that in June, beet seedlings can be planted in beds that have just been cleared of cabbage and tomato seedlings. But for this, the leaves must be removed from the beet sprouts - otherwise they may not take root.
According to experienced gardeners, the seedling method of growing beets helps to grow a harvest of root crops almost a month faster than with traditional sowing in beds.
Sowing beet seeds in open ground in spring
The seed is placed in the ground when the soil has steadily warmed up to at least 10°C. Depending on the variety, the seeds are sown in open ground at different times.
If late variety beet seeds are sown before the due date, the root crops will be very hard and tough, and even light-loving sprouts in slight shade can result in crop loss.
If your plot is located in a swampy lowland, then you will have to create high beds for this vegetable crop, while observing certain rules.
The prepared furrows are watered well and seeds are placed in them at a distance of 8-10 cm from each other (for single-sprout varieties - 4-5 cm). The crops are covered with soil, mulched with peat or humus and compacted.
If you do everything correctly, then in a week the beet seeds will sprout, and subsequently a rich harvest of sweet root crops awaits you.