Winter beets have an important advantage: they ripen 15-20 days earlier than those planted in the spring.
Basic rules:
- planting period: end of October - beginning of November, before the onset of frost;
- the soil should be cool, so that the seeds do not germinate immediately;
- plant according to the usual pattern, but add more seeds, as there is a risk that not all the elements will sprout in the spring;
- to speed up germination, form the beds on a ridge;
- bookmark depth – from 4 to 6 cm;
- It is advisable to place humus or compost on top of the seeds;
- Wrap the planted area with non-woven material.
This is very convenient, since in the fall there is not much to do in the garden, but in the spring, when there is a ton of work, you don’t have to waste your precious time on beets)))
I'd like to try planting it this fall, following your advice. I think it's a great idea. Thanks for the idea! And there really is a lot of other work to do in the spring.
It's a good idea, but I'm wondering what it's like in the south with its warm winters? It probably won't work. It can stay above zero until January, with occasional frosts... but in December it can be below zero for a week, and then back to +10. It can be -15 in December, and then +15 in January, and February could be covered in snow again—it's a roller coaster. I've observed calendula sprouting from fallen seeds over the winter, only to freeze again, but some calendula bushes survive the winter and bloom early. I'd like to sow beets before winter, but I'm afraid they'll sprout prematurely in above-zero temperatures, and I'll either have to build a greenhouse or hope the next cold snap will hold up or be covered by snow.
I think planting should be done a little later, in December. Afterward, be sure to cover the plants, and when a strong thaw sets in, you'll have to uncover the plantings, otherwise growth will begin under cover. And compost definitely won't work—it's better to cover with straw or simply agrofibre. If you live in the South, try planting at least a couple of beds this way, especially since the timing is just right. And please share your experience in the spring. Thanks for such a valuable question; it's really important for southerners.