I’ve always been one to thin my vegetable seedlings, beetroot included. I have found over the years that plants do better if theyre not competing with resources (sun, water, nutrients). Thinned plants are usually a little more resilient from bug attacks – particularly aphids.
After watching a Youtube clip from fellow youtuber Mark from Self Sufficient Me and his beetroot harvest, I noticed that he doesn’t thin his beets and still it produces a bumper crop.
If you’ve ever taken time to look at beetroot seeds, you’ll notice that they look more like bubbly clusters, and that is because they are clusters of multiple seeds. It’s near impossible to thin and move the seedlings without damaging them once they have germinated so it’s much better to sacrifice by snipping off the extras carefully with scissors. If you’re one to let nature take its course it makes sense not to thin.
Beets are a popular root vegetable that can be enjoyed raw, cooked, canned, or pickled Many gardeners choose to grow beets from seed as it allows you to pick from a wider variety of beet varieties and gives you more control over spacing and thinning. Properly thinning beet seedlings is an important step to ensure your beets grow to reach their full potential. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about thinning beets for optimal growth and yield
Why Thinning Beet Seedlings is Crucial
Beets seeds are actually clusters of seeds fused together. When planted, they germinate in groups, leading to crowded seedlings competing for resources. Thinning is necessary to reduce competition between seedlings so each plant has sufficient space, sunlight, air circulation and access to nutrients and water. Thinning beet seedlings at the right time improves the growth and health of the remaining plants. It allows their roots to swell and develop uninhibited, leading to better quality, bigger sized beets. Thinning also makes harvesting easier and allows you to space plants appropriately for companion planting if desired.
When to Begin Thinning Beet Seedlings
Timing is an important factor when it comes to thinning beets. You want to wait until the seedlings are established but thin them before plants become overcrowded. Here are some tips on identifying the ideal window:
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Wait until seedlings have developed 2-4 true leaves, The seed leaves (cotyledons) don’t count
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Thin when plants are 2-3 inches tall.
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Space plants 2-3 inches apart after thinning.
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Avoid thinning too early when plants are still fragile.
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Don’t wait too long until plants are 4+ inches tall and crowded.
Thinning during this ideal 2-4 true leaf stage allows removal of plants without shocking or disturbing the remaining seedlings. Spacing properly at this point prevents future crowding.
Tools and Supplies for Thinning Beets
Having the right thinning tools makes the job easier and minimizes unintended damage to seedlings. Here are some must-have supplies:
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Small, sharp scissors – Makes clean cuts instead of tearing seedlings.
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Tweezers or forceps – For precision removal of tiny seedlings.
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Garden markers – To indicate spacing after thinning.
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Hand trowel – Loosens soil if seedlings need to be replanted.
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Watering can – Gentle watering after thinning reduces transplant shock.
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Garden gloves – Protect hands from irritation.
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Small buckets or trays – For holding excess seedlings.
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Magnifying glass (optional) – Helps clearly see seedlings.
Proper tools enable you to efficiently and gently thin beets without harming keepers. Investing in quality tools makes the process easier each time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Thinning Beet Seedlings
Follow this simple step-by-step process for thinning beets successfully:
1. Water seedlings well before thinning
Providing ample moisture minimizes stress and prevents damaging fragile roots during thinning. Water a day prior if possible.
2. Identify crowded areas and select seedlings to remove
Look for clusters where plants compete for space and resources. Choose weaker, slower growing seedlings to eliminate.
3. Carefully snip or tweeze out chosen seedlings
Use sterilized scissors or tweezers for clean removal. Snip stems at soil level or grasp seedlings as close to the base as possible.
4. Space remaining seedlings evenly
Space seedlings 2-3 inches apart in all directions. Use markers to indicate ideal spacing for reference.
5. Gently firm soil around bases
Lightly firm up any loose soil at the base of the remaining seedlings to stabilize them after thinning shocks.
6. Provide aftercare by watering transplants
Water gently to help recover from root disturbances. Consider a diluted organic plant food to reduce stress.
7. Monitor growth and thin again as needed
Occasionally check for new crowding. Thin again if plants start competing for resources.
Following these steps correctly will promote healthy beet growth and improve yields at harvest time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Thinning
It’s easy to damage seedlings if proper thinning techniques aren’t followed. Here are some common mistakes that should be avoided:
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Thinning too early or too late. Stick within the ideal window when seedlings have 2-4 true leaves.
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Leaving seedlings too crowded. Space 2-3 inches apart for adequate resources.
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Pulling seedlings rather than snipping. This disturbs roots of nearby plants.
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Thinning too many plants at once. Gradually thin in phases for less shock.
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Not watering after thinning. Seedlings need moisture to recover from root disturbances.
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Allowing weeds to compete. Weed thoroughly before and after thinning for optimal growing conditions.
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Forgetting to re-thin if new crowding occurs. Monitor and thin again as needed.
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Skipping row cover protection. Guard seedlings against pests like slugs after thinning shocks plants.
Avoiding these missteps will lead to better success when thinning beets.
The Best Beet Varieties for Thinning and Growing
When selecting beets to grow from seed, some varieties handle thinning and close spacing better than others. Here are some top picks:
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Early Wonder – A quick-growing heirloom that tolerates crowding well.
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Red Ace – Hybrid variety that resists diseases during the thinning process.
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Detroit Dark Red – Vibrant red beets that hold up to repeated thinning.
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Chioggia – Handles clustered spacing and produces vivid red and white bullseye beets.
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Cylindra – Uniform shape and smooth skin makes harvesting clustered beets easier.
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Forono – Quick-growing variety that withstands thinning shock and rebounces well.
Choosing beets optimized for germinating and growing in groups will make the thinning process less stressful on the plants.
Should You Thin Store Bought Beet Seedlings?
Many gardeners opt for the convenience of purchasing pre-started seedlings from nurseries and garden centers rather than growing beets from seed. So do these small transplants still need thinning for the best results? In most cases, yes. Here’s why:
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The roots have limited room to expand in cramped seedling cells.
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Seedlings are often packed densely in flats and should be separated.
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Pre-started plants suffer from transplant shock. Thinning reduces further stress.
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Spacing store bought seedlings allows the roots to size up.
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Less foliage competition enables plants to grow vigorously after transplanting.
Check the spacing recommendations on the plant tag or seed packet. If spacing is tighter than the 2-3 inches beets need, plan to gently thin your transplants for healthier, robust growth.
The Impact of Proper Thinning on Beet Growth
Taking the time to carefully thin beet seedlings pays off through the entire growing season in the following ways:
Bigger Roots and Foliage
With ample space, beets focus energy on root and leaf growth instead of competing to survive.
More Uniform Sizing
Evenly spaced plants mature at a similar rate, producing evenly sized beets.
Better Nutrient Absorption
Uncrowded plants gain greater access to nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Improved Sun Exposure
Thinned plants receive sufficient sunlight to power growth through photosynthesis.
Enhanced Air Circulation
Good airflow around plants reduces humidity and risk of fungal diseases.
Higher Total Yield
Spacing gives each plant enough room to reach maximum size and productivity.
Easier Harvesting
Large, uncrowded beets can be easily dug and pulled at maturity.
Proper thinning techniques allow you to grow beets to their full genetic potential.
Tips for Maximizing Beet Growth After Thinning
Once seedlings are thinned, give your beets a boost by incorporating these cultivation practices:
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Side dress with balanced organic fertilizer to fuel growth after thinning.
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Use row covers to protect seedlings from pests like leaf miners after thinning.
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Avoid walking on planted rows or compacting soil to prevent stunting root development.
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Consistently water 1-2 inches per week supplying ample moisture to uncrowded plants.
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Weed thoroughly to eliminate competition for water and nutrients.
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Use raised beds amended with compost to improve drainage and provide nutrients.
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Control foliar diseases by proactively spraying organic fungicides.
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Rotate crops each season to prevent beet-specific diseases.
Optimizing care after thinning gives your beets the ideal conditions to flourish.
Enjoy an Abundant Beet Harvest
By mastering the proper techniques for thinning beet seedlings, you can look forward to a plentiful harvest of tender, full-sized beets. Thinning at just the right time prevents stunting while giving each plant sufficient space and resources to swell sizable roots. Avoid common thinning mistakes and be diligent about maintaining optimal growing conditions after thinning for the best beet crop yet. Employing these thinning best practices will soon have you enjoying a bounty of beautiful beets.
Results of thinning vs not thinning
Initially I had intended not to thin any of my beetroot seedlings. However, nature had other plans like it usually does and some ended up living a solo life. The vast majority continued to grow in clusters of 2 to 3. The size difference is markedly different. With the solo beets becoming humongous and the clusters staying at ‘baby beet’ size, but 3 occupying the same amount of space as opposed to one.
Should you thin beetroots?
It’s all relative to what you really like. If you like big beets to slice for your hamburgers, thin them. If you like baby beets, then don’t – it’s not like the baby beets are costing you anymore in seeds.
Personally I do prefer the bigger ones as it’s less labour intensive come processing time. We always preserve our beets in a pickling brine, so peeling the bigger ones is a lot easier than peeling lots of little ones.
Choose a sunny position, being a root crop they need sun to fully develop. Being a root crop I find they are best direct sown – spaced around 10cm apart, but unlike carrots they will handle transplantation if you need to raise them in trays first.
They don’t mind soil on the alkaline side, so when growing a crop of beets I add a bit of blood and bone mixed with some dolomite lime. And of course a top dress of compost before planting out. Dont over fertilise otherwise youll end up with all leaf and no beet. Luckily the leaves are also edible.
It’s best to grow them quickly if you can, any that stay in the ground too long will go woody. Regardless of size, I always try to harvest within 3 months.
They like water, but like most veggies don’t let them get soggy feet as they’ll end up rotting on you.
How to Thin Beet Seedlings in the Garden
FAQ
Do beet plants need to be thinned?
Each wrinkled beet “seed” is actually a cluster of 2 to 4 seeds, so you will need to thin the young plants to 3 to 4 inches apart once the greens get to be about 4 to 5 inches tall. This allows their roots to grow to their proper size.
How to thin out crowded seedlings?
The easiest way to thin seedlings is to use scissors. Just trim the excess seedlings off at the base of the plant, as close to the soil as you can get. The roots will die back and leave your remaining seedling undisturbed.
How much to thin beets?
Beet seedlings should be thinned to 3-4 inches apart to allow for proper root development. This is especially important because beet seeds are actually clusters of seeds, meaning multiple seedlings can emerge from one planting location.