How to Grow Beets Organically

Beets are a versatile plant, not only in terms of how you can eat them, but also when it comes to growing them. Since they can grow despite colder temperatures, you can plant beets early in the spring or late in the fall, depending on when you want to enjoy them. Growing your beets organically requires you to grow them without chemicals or pesticides --- this ensures that your plants are as natural as can be.

Beet seeds
Mulch
Soil pH testers
Garden hoe
Garden spade or shovel
Water
Grass clippings
Fresh mint

Instructions

- 1
  Decide when you want your beets and plan accordingly. You can plant them as early as four weeks before your final frost date --- most likely sometime in March, depending on your local climate. Beets generally take between 50 and 60 days to fully mature.
- 2
  Till your soil to loosen it. You must have loose soil to grow beets, so if it is rocky or hard, mix in about 1 inch of compost. Test the pH of your soil. It should be between 6.0 and 7.5 --- mixing compost into the soil may help you attain the proper pH level.
- 3
  Soak the seeds in water for 12 to 24 hours before planting. This encourages germination.
- 4
  Plant the seeds approximately 1 inch in the soil and 3 to 4 inches apart. Pack the soil in tightly with a garden hoe.
- 5
  Spread grass clippings around the beet patch. This stabilizes the moisture levels. Mix fresh mint into the mulch to deter pests -- this is a natural, organic alternative to chemical pesticides.
- 6
  Water the seeds every two weeks. They should get an average of 1 inch of water per week.
- 7
  Harvest the beets after eight to 12 weeks. To harvest them, simply pull them out of the ground.

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