Beets must fully mature before they are harvested for storage, but it’s important not to rush the process. Harvesting early will result in beets that don’t store well and spoil quickly.
The ripening period of beets varies depending on the climate and the region where they are grown. In most cases, beets are ready for harvest at the end of September or beginning of October.
Beets should be allowed to grow until they are juicy and large. Small beets lack sweetness and don’t store well. If you wait too long to harvest, the beets will become fibrous and less enjoyable to eat. The best time for harvesting is during dry, windless weather, and not before the first frost.
How to Know When Beets Are Ripe?
Here are some signs that your beets are ready to harvest:
- The tops of the beets will start to wilt and yellow.
- You can dig up one beet to check its size and determine if it has reached full maturity.
How to Harvest Table Beets
- Use a pitchfork to gently dig around the beets to avoid damaging them.
- If you find small beets, you can leave them in the ground for another 10 days to allow them to grow a little larger.
- Once harvested, leave the beets to dry on the bed for a couple of hours before handling them further.
- Cut off the tops of the beets and place the beets into clean, plastic boxes for storage.
- Finally, move the boxes to the basement or another cool, dry storage area.
With these steps, you can ensure that your harvested beets stay fresh and store well throughout the winter. 🌱
