When Should Sugar Beets Be Planted?

Conditions

• As with all vegetables, the conditions in your garden are more important than the dates on your calendar when it comes to planting sugar beets. Before you can start planting, the soil must be thoroughly thawed and dry enough to work with. A handful of soil should crumble in your hand when you gently squeeze it; if the soil sticks together, it is too wet. Unlike more tender crops, sugar beets can tolerate a light frost, so you do not have to wait until after the last average spring frost date.

Time Frame

• In general, you should try to plant sugar beets as early as the soil allows. A severe cold snap may damage your crop, but beets can withstand mild frosts. temperatures in the twenties. According to Purdue University, sugar beets in states like Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin should be planted between April 20 and May 10. If you live in an area with a warmer climate you can start planting earlier, but waiting too long will result in a reduced yield.

Preparation

• Choose a location with well-drained soil and ample sunlight. Sugar beets will be most productive if you till the soil thoroughly and remove all weeds prior to planting. Fertility is an important consideration as well. Sugar beets need nitrogen and other elements to grow, but avoid over-fertilization, as this can lead to leafy plants with stunted roots. A soil test from your local university extension office will tell you the nutrient levels in your soil and also the pH, which should ideally be around 6.5.

Considerations

• Unlike many garden vegetables, which are seeded in flats or containers and then transplanted to the garden as seedlings, sugar beets are typically planted directly in the garden as seeds. This is likely because sugar beets are usually grown in large quantities for commercial purposes rather than a few plants for personal use. the usual rate of seeding for sugar beets is 54,000 seeds per acre, which will usually produce between 30,000 and 40,000 plants per acre.