Thinning beet seedlings is an essential gardening task that ensures your beets grow to their full potential. Overcrowded beet seedlings compete for light, nutrients and water, resulting in stunted growth and reduced yields. Thinning gives each beet plant adequate space, air circulation and access to sunlight and soil nutrients.
When and how you thin makes all the difference. Follow these tips for thinning beets at the right time and the proper way.
When to Thin Beet Seedlings
Beets are ready for thinning once the seedlings reach 2-3 inches tall and have 2-4 true leaves This is generally 3-4 weeks after sowing. Thinning too early can shock and damage the tender seedlings Waiting too long leads to overcrowding and unhealthy, stressed plants.
The ideal time to thin is on a cloudy or cool day to reduce transplant shock. Morning is ideal, when the soil retains some moisture from the night.
How Far Apart to Thin Beet Seedlings
Proper spacing is key for healthy beet growth. Beets require 2-4 inches between plants within the row. Widerspacing of 4-6 inches is better for large, globe-shaped beet varieties.
When thinning, it helps to sprinkle a few radish seeds between the beets to mark the spots where beets were removed The quick-growing radishes germinate and fill space temporarily until the beets grow larger.
Thinning Tools and Supplies
Thinning beet seedlings requires just a few simple tools
- Small scissors or garden snips – Makes quick, clean cuts
- Short-handled hoe or garden trowel – Loosens soil if seedlings need removal
- Hand fork or cultivator – Optional for loosening soil
- Garden markers – Useful for labeling rows after thinning
- Watering can – For watering seedlings after thinning
Step-by-Step Thinning Method
Follow these simple steps for proper thinning of beet seedlings:
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Wait until seedlings are 2-3 inches tall before thinning.
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Water seedlings a day before thinning to make removal easier.
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Use scissors to snip off excess seedlings at soil level. Avoid pulling seedlings to prevent disturbing roots of remaining plants.
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Thin plants to proper spacing, leaving the strongest, healthiest looking seedlings.
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Use a hand trowel to carefully remove thinned plants, roots and all, if they don’t snip off cleanly.
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Water thinned rows well to reduce stress and settle soil around roots.
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Consider placing radish seeds between beets to fill in gaps.
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Label rows with plant markers indicating the variety and date thinned.
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Watch for new weed seedlings germinating in newly exposed soil and remove promptly.
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Replenish any mulch that was removed during thinning. This helps conserve moisture and prevent weeds.
How Often to Thin Beet Seedlings
One thorough thinning is usually sufficient for properly spaced beet seeds sown 1⁄2 inch deep and 2 inches apart. However, you may need to thin again if some areas become too crowded or if any transplants fail to thrive.
Check the rows every week and thin again if necessary, especially if you see plants that are spindly, off-color or otherwise compromised. Remove these weaker seedlings promptly to prevent them from impacting healthy neighboring plants.
Thinning Tips for Healthy Beet Seedlings
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Thin on a cool, cloudy morning when seedlings are most resilient.
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Snip off rather than pull excess seedlings to avoid disturbing roots.
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Space plants properly for the beet variety, erring on the wider side.
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Remove weaker, compromised plants promptly to prevent disease spread.
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Water well after thinning and watch for germinating weeds.
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Consider sprinkling radish seeds between beets for temporary fill.
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Replenish any removed mulch to conserve moisture and discourage weeds.
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Thin a second time if crowding occurs.
Proper thinning gives beet seedlings the space they need to grow strong and healthy. Follow these tips for the right thinning time, technique and ongoing care. With the proper thinning and spacing, your beets will thrive and reward you with a bountiful harvest.
Steps to Sow Beet Seeds
Follow these simple steps to direct sow beet seeds:
About 24 hours before you intend to plant your seeds, soak them in room-temperature water to help speed up their germination. Water is what wakes the seeds up so they know its time to grow.
Use a hori hori or a long trowel to loosen the soil down to about 6 to 8 inches across the planting area. Break up large soil clumps and remove pebbles, weeds, and plant debris. That way, your beets can expand without encountering any obstacles. Once the soil is nice and loose, add a fresh 2- to 3-inch layer of compost. Go over the soil surface with a little hand rake and then press it flat with your trowel or hori hori. Shop Our Favorite Planting Tools
Beets seeds are much larger than carrot seeds, which makes them easy to handle. I like to sow each seed 4 fingers apart and half an inch deep. Wait until youve sown all your seeds before you cover them up with a light layer of soil or compost.
Pro Tip: A key to having success in the garden is not burying your seeds too deeply. Once the seed has burst open, the little plant is ready to find sunlight so it can grow to the next level; you dont want it to get stuck in the dirt and never find its way to the surface.
Youll need to water every day or every other day for 2 to 3 weeks after sowing seeds. Surface watering is ideal to keep the bed moist but not soggy. Some gardeners cover the planting area with some burlap to hold in moisture until seeds germinate. Beet seeds typically germinate in 10 to 20 days.
The Best Beet Types to Grow
One of the best parts about growing your own is getting to branch out from the standard roots you find at the grocery store. You can grow beet varieties in shades of black, white, yellow, and red; you can even grow beets that look more like carrots. Here are my favorites to grow in my kitchen garden:
Red beetroots are pretty classic. That deep red color comes from an antioxidant called betanin, which can help you prevent DNA damage in your body. My favorite red beet varieties are Detroit Dark Red, Bulls Blood, and Early Wonder Beets.
Golden beets taste a bit less earthy and are much sweeter than their red counterparts.
This heirloom type has a red outside but then a really fun red-and-white-striped interior, kind of like a peppermint. You might also see chioggias referred to as Candy Stripe or Bulls Eye Beets.
Tips For Thinning Beets – Garden Quickie Episode 152
FAQ
When should I thin out beetroot seedlings?
Once your beet seeds have sprouted and are about 2 inches tall, you’ll need to thin the seedlings so that each beet has enough space to grow to its fullest root potential. Thinning is always an important (yet nonetheless annoying) task for growing roots, but it’s doubly so for seeds that are multigerm.
Will beets grow if not thinned?
Nutrients from the soil, water, even sunshine is minimized if veggies are too close. So thin your carrots and beets to an inch apart now, and 2 to 3 inches in a month. Yes, you can get a crop without thinning, but the production is vastly reduced. And you can eat the thinnings.
How big should seedlings be before thinning?
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Burpeehttps://www.burpee.comHow to Thin Seedlings – BurpeeJun 18, 2021 — If you’re new to gardening, you may not know when to start thinning your seedlings. You should thin seedlings when they have 1-2 sets of leaves. The…
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Seedsheetshttps://seedsheets.comHow to Thin SeedlingsWe recommend thinning seedlings when they are still young, between two to three inches in height at two to three weeks of age. At this point in their life cycle…
How do you thin seedlings without killing them?
How to Thin Them The easiest and least invasive way to thin your seedlings is to use a pair of scissors and snip them off at the base. If you’re careful and your seedlings are still small, you may be able to gently pull them out of the soil without disturbing the roots of the other seedlings. Voila!
Should you thin beet seedlings?
Thinning beet seedlings is an important step in the gardening process, as it allows the beets to grow to their full potential without competing for resources. With the right tools and a bit of patience, you’ll be able to successfully thin your beet seedlings and ensure a healthy harvest. 2. What is the best time of day to thin beet seedlings?
Are beets safe for someone who is taking blood thinners?
No. The use of anticoagulants has the function of thinning the blood, and beetroot is a food rich in vitamin K, which helps in the formation of clotting factors, making the blood thicker, that is, it works by doing the opposite of remedy, and therefore should be avoided.
How do you thin a beet plant?
To thin your beet plants effectively, follow these simple steps: Wait for the right time: Start thinning when the seedlings have 2-4 true leaves. Identify the weakest plants: Look for seedlings that are smaller, paler, or showing signs of distress. Gently pull out extra seedlings: Be careful not to disturb the roots of the remaining plants.
When to thin beets?
Knowing when to thin beets can make a huge difference in the success or failure of your harvest. To ensure that your beets are healthy and productive, the best time of day to thin beets is early morning. Thinning beets is a process of removing excess seedlings from a single row, so that the remaining plants have enough space to grow properly.
How much space should be left between beets when thinning?
To ensure your beets reach their full potential, you should leave a specific amount of space between each plant when thinning. The amount of space needed between each beet depends on the variety you’re growing, but generally you should leave around 3-4 inches between each plant.
What should I do after thinning beet seedlings?
Be sure to water the remaining seedlings after thinning. This will help them to recover quickly from the shock of being thinned. It is also important to keep the soil moist but not overly wet. Thinning beet seedlings is an important step in achieving a healthy and productive garden.