How Long For Beetroot Seeds to Germinate? A Complete Guide
Beetroot is a popular root vegetable that is packed with nutrients and has a delicious earthy flavor Many gardeners enjoy growing beetroot from seed, but first you need to know – how long does it take for beetroot seeds to germinate?
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about beetroot seed germination including optimal conditions, estimated timelines, and tips for improving germination rates.
What Conditions Do Beetroot Seeds Need to Germinate?
Beetroot seeds require the following conditions for successful germination:
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Soil Temperature: Ideal range is 70-85°F (21-29°C). Beet seeds can germinate at temps as low as 40°F but more slowly.
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Soil Moisture: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Don’t let soil dry out completely.
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Planting Depth: Sow seeds 1/2″ deep in loose, well-draining soil. Don’t bury too deep.
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Light: Beet seeds prefer indirect sunlight. Avoid hot, direct sun.
Providing the optimal temperature, moisture, planting depth, and sunlight will give your beetroot seeds the best chance at germinating quickly and uniformly.
How Long Does It Take for Beetroot Seeds to Germinate?
Under perfect conditions, beetroot seeds can germinate in as little as 3-5 days. However, germination often takes 7-14 days on average. Here is a typical timeline:
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Days 1-3: Seed coat softens as it absorbs water. Root embryo starts to grow. No visible changes.
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Days 4-6: Seed coat splits open, root tip emerges and leaf shoots appear.
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Days 7-10: Seedling establishes anchor roots and first true leaves expand. Ready for thinning.
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Days 10-14: Additional leaves grow. Thin again if needed.
Germination rate and timeline depends on soil temperature, moisture, seed age and quality. Older seeds germinate slower.
Tips to Speed Up Beetroot Seed Germination
If your beetroot seeds are taking longer than expected to germinate, here are some tricks to spur faster sprouting:
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Start seeds indoors at 75°F before transplanting outside for quicker germination.
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Use a heat mat or plastic sheeting to warm soil 10-15°F above room temperature.
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Gently scratch seed coat with sandpaper before planting to allow moisture intake.
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Soak seeds in room temperature water for 24 hours prior to planting.
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Ensure high-quality, fresh seeds that are less than 1 year old.
With optimal care, beetroot seed germination can be reduced to 5-7 days. But patience is still required, as germination times vary.
The key is providing consistent moisture, proper planting depth, and ideal soil temperatures. Follow these beetroot seed germination guidelines and soon you will have little seedlings ready to grow into a healthy crop!
Cooking and Eating Beetroot
Foodies will tell you that beetroot should taste ‘earthy’, but I have a sweet tooth and prefer a sweeter beetroot (the variety ‘Boltardy’ never disappoints). Roasting beetroot is a trendy way to prepare it, but I find that boiling preserves a sweeter flavour – try both methods though, as your preference may differ to mine.
Fresh, boiled, roasted or pickled – how you prepare your beetroot is up to you! Why not grate the raw roots and pair with the young leaves in a salad, make soup, or even – I kid you not – bake a cake?
It’s worth mentioning that as well as the traditional red beetroot, yellow and white varieties are available which won’t stain your fingers.
If you have a favourite beetroot recipe or a variety that does exceptionally well for you, please share it in the comments below – we’d love to hear about it!
Sowing Beetroot Seeds
What looks like a single spiky beetroot seed is actually a protective capsule enclosing two or three true seeds. This means that for each seed capsule you plant, you will need to snip off at least one seedling with scissors or a sharp knife, to give the remaining seedling the space to grow on.
A few beetroot varieties are available which produce just one seed per capsule, thereby avoiding the need for thinning. These are known as ‘monogerm’ varieties and will usually be marked as such on the seed packet.
Sow beetroot in rows 10cm (4in) apart, with a row gap of 20cm (8in), or in blocks 15cm (6in) apart each way. Make a hole about 2cm (1in) deep with a dibber or your finger then drop the seed capsule in. Be patient: beetroot can take a little while to germinate, especially those earliest sowings. Germination can be patchy, so if there are any gaps after germination just pop in new seed capsules.
Pre-warming the soil with a cold frame or horticultural fleece will help you to get the earliest sowings off to a good start, but don’t be tempted to start beetroot seeds too early as this often results in the plant ‘bolting’ (flowering), which means that the vegetable is past its prime. Our Garden Planner can advise you on when to sow beetroot (and lots of other crops) in your area, using climate data from your nearest weather station for maximum accuracy.
For a continuous supply of beetroot sow short rows or small blocks of beetroot at intervals over the summer.
Growing Beets from Sowing to Harvest
FAQ
Why are my beetroot seeds not germinating?
Beets and carrots are slow, but germination problems usually means that the top 1/2 inch of soil is drying out too fast or the soil is crusting on them. The old folks use to lay planks on thier beet row to provide a moist environment. I accomplish the same easier using row covers laid flat on the ground.
How long does beetroot take to grow from seed?
how long does beetroot take to grow? It rather depends on the weather conditions and the size of beetroot you prefer. But the rule of thumb is around seven weeks for baby beets and 12 weeks for a full-size root.
Should beetroot seeds be soaked before planting?
Beetroot has a very hard seed coat. So it’s a good idea to soak them before you sow. This can be done 15 minutes beforehand or even overnight. You know they’re ready when the seeds actually sink to the bottom. Another good little tip is because beetroot like boron a soluble nutrient put a little bit in the bowl.