Collection: Beet Seeds

Liven up your dinner plate with delicious organic beets!

14 products

Beet Seeds - Grow Organic

Growing beet seeds is a rewarding venture that offers vibrant, nutritious crops while requiring attention to specific cultivation practices. Delving into the nuances of planting beets reveals a process that ensures optimal growth and a bountiful harvest.

Selecting Beet Varieties

When planting beet seeds, consider the wide array of varieties available. Choose from traditional red beets like 'Detroit Dark Red' or explore golden varieties like 'Golden Detroit.' Additionally, there are cylindrical-shaped beets like 'Cylindra' or even striped varieties like 'Chioggia.' Each type offers unique flavors, colors, and adaptability to different climates.

Ideal Climate and Soil Conditions

Beets thrive in cool weather and can tolerate light frosts, making them suitable for planting in both spring and fall. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Loose, fertile soil allows the roots to develop without hindrance.

Planting Beet Seeds

Sow beet seeds directly into the garden bed about half an inch deep and 1 to 2 inches apart. Ensure rows are spaced around 12 to 18 inches apart, providing ample room for the plants to mature. Alternatively, beet seeds can be sown closer and thinned once they sprout, providing adequate space for proper growth.

Watering and Fertilization: Adequate moisture is crucial for germination and beet growth. Maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil, especially during the initial stages of growth. However, avoid overwatering, which may lead to issues like root rot. Applying a balanced fertilizer or compost before planting can support healthy beet development.

Thinning and Maintenance

As beet plants grow, thinning is necessary to prevent overcrowding. When seedlings reach a few inches tall, thin them to about 3 to 4 inches apart, allowing enough space for the roots to develop fully. Regular weeding helps prevent competition for nutrients and ensures optimal growth.

Harvesting Beets

Beets are typically ready for harvest in about 50 to 70 days, depending on the variety. Harvest when the roots reach the desired size, usually around 1 to 3 inches in diameter, by gently pulling them from the soil. Leaves can also be harvested for culinary use, offering a nutritious addition to salads or sautés.

Pest and Disease Management

Beet plants are relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, keeping the garden clean and practicing crop rotation can minimize potential issues. Watch for common pests like aphids or leaf miners, addressing them promptly if detected.

Storage and Culinary Use

After harvesting, beets can be stored in a cool, dark place for several weeks. They're versatile in the kitchen, suitable for roasting, boiling, pickling, or adding to salads for their earthy, sweet flavor.

Planting beet seeds is a fulfilling endeavor that yields vibrant, nutritious produce with proper care and attention. Understanding the nuances of cultivation, from seed selection to harvest, allows growers to enjoy a continuous supply of these versatile and flavorful root vegetables.

Planting beet seeds is a fulfilling endeavor that yields vibrant, nutritious produce with proper care and attention. Understanding the nuances of cultivation, from seed selection to harvest, allows growers to enjoy a continuous supply of these versatile and flavorful root vegetables.

Learn more about seed starting in your organic garden with our resource guide and buy everything you need with our Seed Starting Kit.

FAQs: Annie's Perennials

What are perennial plants?

Perennial plants live for more than two growing seasons. If properly cared for, they will return year after year with consistent bloom times to add color and diversity to your garden.

What is the difference between annuals and perennials?

The key difference between annuals and perennials is their lifespan. Annuals live for one growing season, although some of our annual plants do re-seed, thereby prolonging their benefits past a single season. Perennial plants and perennial flowers persist for several years, returning year after year, every growing season. Another difference is that true annuals will bloom throughout the entire season; whereas, perennials may bloom intermittently during or between seasons.

What are the benefits of growing perennials?

Perennial plants and flowers provide lasting beauty and structure to your garden. They have specific seasonal bloom times that remain consistent year after year, ensuring vibrant color for your garden throughout the seasons. Perennials also contribute to biodiversity and help the overall environment. Their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and retain nutrients, while also sequestering carbon. Planting lots of different perennials with varied bloom times ensures consistent, reliable food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and beneficial wildlife.

When should I buy perennials to plant?

The ideal time to plant perennials is spring or early fall. This allows them to establish their root system before extreme weather.

How do I care for perennial plants?

In general, Perennials need watering, occasional fertilization, and deadheading to encourage repeat blooming. The specific care needs can vary by type. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer many native and low water, low-maintenance perennials to make planting and caring for them easy. We want to make gardening success attainable for everyone.

Can you plant perennials in pots or containers?

Yes! We have hundreds of perennial plants that work well in containers as well as in garden beds. Just make sure your pot size is adequate for the root system of your particular plant.

Do perennials require full sun?

Some perennials prefer full sun, which typically means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Other varieties require full or partial shade. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer you many options for both shade and sun plants to fit every gardening need.

Do perennials attract pollinators and wildlife?

Yes! Perennials, with their reliable bloom times, are valuable additions to a pollinator-friendly garden. They provide consistent food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial wildlife. Planting many different perennials with varied bloom times will attract and feed pollinators throughout all of the seasons.

What are some popular perennial flowers?

Some common perennials include <strong>Yarrow</strong> (Achillea millefolium), </strong>African daisies</strong> (Arctotis) </strong>Butterfly Bush</strong> (Buddleja davidii), <strong>Campanula, Dahlia, Delphiniums, Peonies (Paeonia), Roses (Rosa), Irises, and Coneflowers</strong> (Echinacea). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost hundreds and hundreds of popular perennials – like the ones previously mentioned, along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we also offer many more perennials that are quite unusual and hard to find

What are hardy perennials?

Hardy perennials are perennial plants that grow for multiple seasons and can survive very cold weather in their growing zones. For this reason, hardy perennial plants are the perfect plant selection for any garden.

Do perennials come back every year?

Yes, if planted and cared for properly, perennials will return year after year. At Annie’s, we offer hundreds of perennials that are perfect beginner plants– easy to grow and easy to care for - so everyone can garden successfully.

What are different types of perennials?

Flowering Perennials: Are known for vibrant, consistent and long-lasting blooms. Examples include peonies (Paenonia), roses (Rosa), coneflowers (Echinaea), Abutilon, Alstroemeria, african daisy (Arctotis), foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), carnations (dianthus), geraniums, sages (Salvia), Strawflowers (helichrysum bracteatum), hollyhocks and impatiens, among many others.

Foliage Perennials: Are known for their striking, colorful foliage. Hostas, heucheras, and ornamental grasses are some common varieties.

Shade-Loving Perennials: Thrive in low-light or partial shade conditions. Examples include astilbes, ferns, and bleeding hearts (dicentras). Some of our favorite shade perennials at Annie’s are Begonias, Fuchsias, Sedges, Hellebores, Heucheras, and Impatiens.

Sun-loving perennials: Thrive in full sun conditions (meaning full sun for at least 6 hours per day). Some common examples of sun-loving perennials are lavender (Lavandula), sage (Salvia), African daisy (Arctotis), and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer almost one thousand sun-loving perennials – like the ones previously mentioned along with more unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Herbaceous Perennials: These are perennial plants that die back to the ground each Fall or Winter, but whose roots remain alive and send up new growth and reemerge in the Spring or Summer. They include a variety of flowers and foliage, like columbines (Aquilegia), delphiniums, foxglove (Digitalis pupurea), and Iris.

Woody Perennials: These are shrubs and small trees that persist for many years, bringing useful structure and seasonal blooms to your garden. Examples include hydrangeas, California lilac (Ceanothus), fuchsias, and butterfly bushes (Buddleja).

Native Perennials: are well-suited to specific regions and often need less maintenance and human intervention. California native plant species might include yarrow (Achillea), California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), milkweed (Asclepias), monkey flowers (Mimulus), and some sages (Salvias), depending on your location. At Annie’s Annuals & Perennials, we offer one of the largest selections of CA native perennials to be found anywhere.

Long-Blooming Perennials: Have extended blooming periods and can include varieties like Alstroemeria, Abutilon (Flowering Maples), African daisies (Actotis), Agastache, coreopsis, yarrow (Achillea), and sages (Salvias).

Drought-Tolerant Perennials: Can withstand periods of dry conditions and need less watering. Examples include lavender (Lavandula), yarrow (Achillea), sedum (stonecrop), Agastache, Aloe, milkweed (Asclepias), and some sages (Salvias).

Deer-resistant Perennials: Have characteristics that make them less appealing to deer. Options include yarrow (Achillea), lambs' ears (Stachys byzantine), Agastache, and some ornamental sages (Salvia).

Perennial Bulbs: Some perennials grow from bulbs, including favorites like tulips, daffodils, freesias, ranunculus, and irises. They return year after year, adding color to your garden each spring.

Climbing Perennials: Perennial vines like clematis and wisteria add vertical interest to your garden, climbing trellises, arbors, and fences.