For orderly commercial harvest of the needed size grades and harvest season, processing companies establish or suggest seed sizes, seeding rates, as well as planting and harvest dates. Beets for mid-season harvest and late harvest are planted to produce 20-25 and 25-30 plants/foot of row respectively. Beets intended for early harvest should be planted to produce 15-20 seeds/foot of row. Yields and grades are directly influenced by plant stand and harvest date. Beets mature more quickly when plant stands are thin and later when plant populations are high. From 15-30 seedlings/foot may be desired, depending on size grade and earliness wanted. About 15-25 lb/acre of seed are required. Plant seed l/2 to 3/4 inch deep in rows 18 to 24 inches apart. Use treated seed only to reduce losses from damping off and other seedling diseases. Using a limited size range of seed simplifies planter calibration and proper plant stand establishment. Seed is size graded with sizes 9 and 10 (64ths of an inch), ranging from 28,000 to 32,000 seeds per pound being preferred when planting beets for processing. Table beet seed numbers approximately 1,600 per ounce. In western Oregon, table beets may be planted from about March 20 to July 10. Follow soil test recommendations for liming rates.įields in which processing beets are to be planted are usually tested by the processor for residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons and rejected if these residues are found to be unacceptable. Beets are sensitive to damping off on soils that may flood or otherwise have poor aeration.Īdjust soil pH to 6.0 or higher for maximum yields. Rotate crops to avoid damping-off and root rot diseases. Uniform soil moisture is essential for best quality. They may be grown on heavier soiltypes, but harvesting is more difficult and root growth may be impaired. Sugar beet leaves may also be used as for "greens" and are considered superior to table beet leaves.īeets grow well on sandy loam, silt loam, or muck soil. See the Vegetable Variety Selection Resources page to find varieties that have been shown to perform well in the Pacific NW.īeta vulgaris Orientalis group, a form of common table beet or leaf beet, grown for its succulent leaves which can be harvested over an extended period. Cylindrical beets offer greater uniformity and efficiency of sliced beet production, a major pack requirement for processors. On the negative side, the vigor of hybrid beets may result in beet roots going "out of grade" more quickly if harvest is delayed by poor weather or other reasons. Note: Hybrid beets have the advantage of greater seedling vigor and improved top growth and resistance to certain diseases such as Cercospora. For trial, cylindrical: Forono and Cyndor (half long), CXA 9026, Cylindra, Formanova. For trial, round: Big Red, Pacemaker III, Warrior. Hybrid: Red Ace F1 (Cercospora tolerant). Processor specifies varieties used are: Detroit Short Top and other strains such as Ruby Ball and Scarlet Supreme. VARIETIES (round beets require 60-70 days and cylindrical beets 70-80 days depending on planting date, sizes desired and season). Photo credit: Alex Stone, Oregon State University
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