Some gardeners believe that growing beets is very easy. But in order to grow big and tasty beets, you should take good care of them and apply fertilizers correctly.
Why Can Beets Grow with Bad Taste?
- You have planted poor quality seeds.
- Beets were planted in an area where the acidity of the soil is disturbed. If the soil is acidic, add ash or dolomite flour.
- You planted beets on solid ground. It is necessary to often loosen the ground and lay out mulch.
- Beetroot lacks moisture. The seedlings need regular watering, especially if the weather is hot.
- You harvested the crop too late, so it may lose its sweetness.
- A common mistake gardeners make is applying fresh manure. During its decomposition, a large amount of nitrogen is released. Nitrogen absorbs into the leaves, slowing the growth of the fruit and worsening its taste. Also, nitrogen affects the color of the beet, making it pale and bitter. You need to feed beets with rotted humus and do this in the fall. Beet beds should be prepared in advance, during autumn.
Hydration is Key
Do not forget about hydration. Beetroot roots can grow several meters deep, allowing them to absorb water from depths. If the heat lasts for a long time, root crops should be abundantly and frequently watered.
When the water is absorbed, the soil between the rows should be loosened and covered with mulch—hay, sawdust, straw, or dry grass.
Feeding Beets for Sweetness
In order for the sugar level in the fruits to increase, you need to feed them in July. Use nettle infusion, and after a couple of weeks, apply dissolved ash with salt in water. Thanks to the salt, the fruits will become sweeter.
Mix a couple of glasses of ash and 30 grams of salt in a bucket of water. Apply the prepared fertilizer under the root.
We wish you a good harvest!
