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Entire healthy mature beet plant in a real garden bed, showing growth habit and scale.Primary identification image. 30–45 cm tall, 15–20 cm wide at maturity.

Beet

Beta vulgaris L.

Also called: Beetroot, Table beet

Family
Amaranthaceae
Season
Cool-season biennial grown as an annual
Best grown in
Portland, Oregon

A quick, cold-tolerant root and leaf crop sown in spring and late summer. Each "seed" is a cluster, so thinning is essential.

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Life cycle & growth stages

  1. 1. Seed clusterSoak overnight; sow 2 cm deep.
  2. 2. Seedling clumpSeveral seedlings per cluster emerge in 7–14 days.
  3. 3. ThinningThin to 8–10 cm; eat thinnings as greens.
  4. 4. Mid-growthLeaves 30 cm; root swells.
  5. 5. Developing rootShoulders show; harvest baby beets now if wanted.
  6. 6. Harvest readyRoots 4–7 cm across.
  7. 7. HarvestTwist off leaves (do not cut) to prevent bleeding.

Growth stages are ordered chronologically; timing varies with cultivar, temperature, light and care.

Planting calendar for Portland, Oregon

direct sow 4 weeks before to 4 weeks after last frost; 50–70 days to maturity from sowing. Windows are derived from the region's average frost dates (last Apr 5, first Nov 5) and are estimates until you confirm your own dates in the calendar.

BeetBeta vulgaris
PlantStart indoorsDirect sowAutumn sowTransplantTendHarvest
Beet—Mar 8–May 3 (estimate); May 3–Sep 2 (estimate)Aug 27–Sep 10 (estimate)——Apr 27–Dec 9 (estimate)
  • Direct sow: Mar 8 – May 3
  • Harvest: Apr 27 – Dec 9
  • Succession sow: May 3 – Sep 2
  • Autumn sowing: Aug 27 – Sep 10

Spacing & support

In-row 8–10 cm; rows 30–45 cm. Planner footprint: 1 cell of 30 cm, 9 plants per cell.

Side-profile diagram of mature beet: canopy 30–45 cm tall, 15–20 cm wide, medium root zone, support and harvest-access envelope.

Soil & water

Soil
Loose loam with good drainage
pH
6–7
Fertility
moderate
Water
Even moisture prevents woody, ringed roots.
Frost
hardy; tolerates frost

Support & training

No support structure needed.

Beet mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Harvest signs

  • Roots 4–7 cm across (golf to tennis ball)
  • Shoulders visible at the surface
  • Leaves still fresh and upright
Beet at harvest readiness, showing the visual cues: roots 4–7 cm across (golf to tennis ball); shoulders visible at the surface.

Common problems

Pests: beet leaf miner, flea beetles, aphids

Diseases: Cercospora leaf spot, scab

Appearance alone is not a diagnosis; confirm with a regional extension guide.

Side-by-side: healthy beet leaf or fruit and an example of Cercospora leaf spot.

Container growing

  • Minimum 10 L (20 cm deep)
  • Use quality potting mix and water more frequently
Mature beet in a correctly sized container (10 L or more) with drainage visible.

Companion overview

3 reviewed relationship records (evidence: low).

Supported or conditional

None reviewed

Avoid or separate

None with evidence

Traditional claims only: Onion.

2 popular pairings reviewed with no verified relationship.

Full companion profile

Crop rotation

Avoid planting beet or other beet family crops in the same spot for 2 years. Rotation is about previous seasons, not about live neighbours.

Year 1Year 2Year 3AmaranthaceaeOther familyOther familyback after 2+ years

Shared risks in Amaranthaceae: leaf miner (Pegomya), Cercospora leaf spot, downy mildew.

Crop rotation hub

Sources, reviewer & update

Sources

Reviewer: Garden Planner editorial team (pending independent horticultural review)

Last reviewed: August 15, 2026 · version 1

Found an error or have feedback? Let us know.

Growing beet

Beet seed is a dried fruit containing several true seeds, which is why clumps of seedlings emerge and must be thinned to 8–10 cm. Soak seed overnight to speed germination. Sow from four weeks before the last frost and again in late summer for autumn roots.

Beet seed beside a ruler or coin for scale.
Beet seedling at cotyledon and first-true-leaf stage, in soil, distinguishable from common weeds.
Beet mid-season before harvest, showing branching, vining, rosette or upright habit and space occupied.

Beets tolerate light frost and grow best below 25 °C; summer sowings in hot regions bolt or turn woody. The leaves are edible at every stage and the plant is the same species as Swiss chard, so both share leaf miners and Cercospora leaf spot and should be rotated together.

Two or more mature beet plants with a tape measure showing in-row spacing (8–10 cm).
Beet flower detail or bolting stage.
Immature root of beet developing on the plant.

Beets need boron and a pH near neutral; black, corky spots inside roots usually indicate boron deficiency rather than disease.

Edible parts and safety

Edible: root, leaves.

Hands or tool harvesting beet correctly (cut, pull, twist or pick) without damaging the plant.

Pests and diseases

Common pests: beet leaf miner, flea beetles, aphids. Common diseases: Cercospora leaf spot, scab. These vary by region; a photograph is an example, not a diagnosis. See the pest and disease guides and your local extension service.

beet leaf miner on beet, with a wider damage-context view.

Timeline

Season timeline for beet: sowing, transplanting, flowering, harvest and bed occupancy aligned to frost dates.Text alternative: Direct sow Mar 8–May 3; Harvest Apr 27–Dec 9; Succession sow May 3–Sep 2; Autumn sowing Aug 27–Sep 10.

Related plants

See also: Amaranthaceae family page · crop rotation · regional calendar · guides

Our Methodology & Sources

We synthesize peer-reviewed research, university extension publications, and trusted horticulture resources. Our evidence levels help you understand how strong the science is behind the guidance.

Evidence tiers

Supported evidenceConsistent results from multiple robust studies
Traditional claimHistorical use reported, limited scientific support
Context dependentMixed or variable results across conditions
No verified relationshipNo reliable evidence identified

Primary source types

  • Peer-reviewed journal articles
  • University extension publications
  • Government & research institute reports
  • Systematic reviews & meta-analyses

Last updated

August 24, 2026

Learn more about our approach