Growing Beets, From Seed to Harvest 🌱

[@epicgardening]

Addressing the Babka comments: that segment was filmed in fall when she was still around...we haven't seen her in months now :(

[@simonebourgeois9377]

🥺😭 I'm sorry Kevin

[@Pickles6115]

I’m hoping someone took her in and she’s content being an inside cat. 😽

[@Halzebub1]

I am sorry Kevin. When I saw the video I literally yelled "babka's back!" I bet she belonged to someone and they moved or something. My sister's cat acts very similar to Babka. They finally got a name tag on her collar so that people would stop keeping her in their house at night, and she couldn't get home.

[@kermitdafrog444]

😭

[@jessicacerchiara7620]

That’s too bad I was also excited to see her ❤

[@sdavis363]

Babka is back! I saw her prowling in the background. In a previous video Kevin said he and Jacques hadn't seen her in awhile. Glad to see she's safe.

[@roxannemcclintock1495]

I was hoping that was her too, and that this video wasn't filmed before she went missing

[@aammyyify]

I thought that to. But when Kevin is talking about when to plant them, he said that it was fall. Which means this was filmed last year 😒.

[@lanceverbose1763]

My wife has always said that she hates beets but I grew golden beets in the garden last year. The greens went in a stir-fry, roasted the roots in the air fryer and she loved it all!

[@makeupgirl8886]

I like it that you show us how to process, store and sometimes how to cook the veggie you are harvesting. I think every harvest video is not complete without those added steps. Love your content - keep it coming.

[@epicgardening]

I agree...learning a lot there myself!

[@drodriguez861]

Quick tip - When you harvest just 1 or 2 multi-sown beets, twist them out, don't pull. The roots of the remaining beets are less disturbed so they continue growing well.

[@epicgardening]

Good tip!

[@pablothefable]

There's never a bad time for an Epic Gardening video!

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I love the golden beets in part because they don't stain everything from cutting boards to salads to fingers.

[@wsams]

Very good point

[@lydiawright1627]

Beets and carrot juice was my Sunday dinner drink

[@wsams]

Sounds delicious. Beet and ginger is also really good.

[@StefaniStevensBand]

Also, in October, something ate most seeds. I put clear cups over and saved some seeds. Wasted so many, now I will always put a cup over all seeds.

[@noend85d]

Rather than peeling them before cooking, roast them whole in the oven wrapped in foil at 400F until fork-tender (usually 30-40 min depending on size). The skin will slide right off, and you can avoid staining your hands from the juice.

[@ElegantFinishes]

Careful using foil, you’re baking aluminum into your organic food

[@toshatrollwarrior]

Trying to grow them like my Granny did, then pickling them. Yum yum pickled beets with soup beans & cornbread 🐷🐷🐷

[@wsams]

That's my plan this fall. Going to try a late-season grow.

[@curtisdawg]

Love this idea of seed to harvest. Nobody ever shows the finished product. Maybe include pruning results as well?

[@sarathompson6628]

7:28 holding their hair 😂😂😂 I will never not say this when transplanting!

[@smile30981]

I had no idea I shouldn't fertilize beets, maybe that it why my last two years didn't bring a great harvest so thank you! Heading upstairs to drop about 30 seeds right now (spare bedroom became my indoor greenhouse) 😁

[@greenhousefun3235]

Nice when my oldest kid moved out I did the same. But plot twist; she”s back, ugh

[@smile30981]

@@greenhousefun3235 Basement? Just kidding! Bummer you lost your indoor greenhouse.

[@PhosphorAlchemist]

I'm growing beets for the 1st time this season, and noticed that they can be very slow to germinate if direct-sown while weather is still very cool. I was worried that after shelling out for Badger Flame seeds (I am not a fan of geosmin) that they might have been duds. In fact, they were just taking their sweet time getting started -- 4 weeks! Turns out that's typical for my area when I planted. Here's hoping that Badger Flame is as advertised for low/no geosmin. I really want to love beets, but can't get past That One Flavor. Fingers crossed!

[@deehappy43]

If you don’t like the geosmin flavor try pickling, the acidity of the vinegar reacts chemically to neutralize a lot of the geosmin.

[@PhosphorAlchemist]

@@deehappy43 Unfortunately I am highly sensitive to the geosmin flavor, and even pickling doesn't make beets or chard palatable. It's funny to me that I have friends that love that flavor just as much as I loathe it. I am encouraged by the few leaves I've sampled of the Badger Flame beet. They didn't have any of the flavor I dislike, which I can usually taste even in the young leaves (e.g. baby beet greens in salad mix). I'll know in another few weeks how I like the actual beetroot, but the plants are surprisingly pretty in the meantime.

[@annette-thetwistedsister8727]

I have heaps of trouble growing beets, they just end up with root and don't bulb out doesn't matter how long I leave them. I didn't realize you could eat the leave, I am so going to try that, thank you.

[@brighida100]

Me too

[@LuvThyMind29]

Is your soil pretty light and airy? The soil needs to not be compact or it will restrict their ability to expand in size

[@danielt6689]

You actually do not have to thin the seedlings. You can grow 4 beets together to maturity without any issues. This technique is recommended by Eliot Coleman in The New Organic Grower. Space the seedlings groups 12 inches apart. I've been doing it this way for over 2 decades. It's much more efficient.

[@lassalkey138]

Subscribing from Kingston, Jamaica...I love the crucial, yet simpley DETAILED explanation and CLOSE UP shots! Being a novice, I CAN TOTALLY PLANT VEGGIES NOW! Hurricane Beryl's indirect impact has caused VEGGIE PRICES TO SOAR, so now, on my patio, I'm growing, 2 species of carrots, beets...( sprouted in only 3 days), Broccoli, (sprouted in 3 DAYS!) THANK YOU!

[@iwanttobelieve5970]

My mom used to grow beets and I absolutely hated them. I've had no luck growing beets for the past four years. I want it mainly dried and to use in smoothies. But for the first time in four years, I finally have beets growing. So I'm pretty happy. 👍👍

[@Bubba_fett]

Glad I watched this. I am going to grow beets this year for the first time. I would have made the soil to rich, but after watching this, I can use my last years dirt for them. I'm growing in bags.

[@lauraq.2325]

Just made my evening with a new video ❤

[@epicgardening]

Love you Laura Q

[@Estertje93]

I tested a few varieties but my favorite in terms of flavor were the cylindrical beets! They look a bit odd but they chop into consistent pieces nicely and they're so sweet and they have this smooth and almost waxy texture... Wow!

[@moirad6579]

I love videos like this... would love to see more "deep dives" into a particular crop or other topic.

[@joanies6778]

Beet greens can also be thrown into your smoothies... they are a superfood that also helps detoxify the liver. Very healthy. I like to sautee my greens, as well. 😋

[@susandavidson3610]

Newbie here. Early Wonder beets says it’s important to thin. Do I have to thin ? I hate thinning 😊. I learn so much from your videos.

[@donf4227]

I like to roast beets in the oven, then let them cool, cut them up, and put in container in fridge so that I can eat them cold throughout the week, as a snack.

[@Ludick.J]

I prefer beet leafs above spinach. The flavor is just so much better.

[@InTheGardenWithClaudia]

Yummm! I love a good beet/carrot juice. 💚

[@AgroDolceMB]

Love your videos! I've learned so much on this channel, so I feel I need to drop a little wisdom nugget on you. Chioggia is pronounced "key-OH-gia" (more or less) It's a city in Italy near Venice.

[@melstark3466]

My beets never grow in my garden…so this year I’m trying one more time, but in start cells first. Hopefully it will work. Thx for the video!

[@minternet1]

Beets roasted with chevre cheese, pine nuts and a drizzle of honey is my favourite 😍😍😍

[@epicgardening]

Damn sounds good

[@tracycrider7778]

Yum balsamic vinegar ❤

[@minternet1]

@@tracycrider7778 also, absolutely fantastic with Beats and chevre!!! 😀😀👍👍

[@celestenw9495]

I direct sowed some beet seeds a month ago and they did… nothing. 😅😅 Definitely going to give the transplant method a try.

[@cindybroadus3277]

Ok I have watched hundreds of growing videos by maybe hundreds of growers and ... the winner is Epic Gardening for the simple fact that you are a gifted teacher! You have his fine tuned to perfection! I am impressed. My sons a college professor and he loved what he does and teaches great because of his enthusiasm. Must be your secret sauce as well

[@Pherknee682]

First year growing beets. This video was super helpful. Thank you! 😊

[@kwellerfolds]

Another great vid! Hands down my fav. way to eat beets is pickled, and they are amazing!

[@charlenejutras1595]

This is so timely for me- I just planted 3 varieties of beets in raised beds and am so happy to have this information! Thank you for sharing.

[@Track5th]

Would you consider doing a video how to grow poppies from seed? I’ve tried so many times and had no luck!

[@HeavenlyHomemaker101]

We steam the beet greens. They are great this way, my husband's favorite veggie. Then I bake the roots with a little olive oil.

[@pascalxus]

I totally needed this. I love seeing the plugs go in the ground so I can see what they’re supposed to look like going in the ground

[@RoyHolder]

I had a pot of beets from our local hardware that were really root bound but after using water to untangle the roots they're all thriving!

[@epicgardening]

NICE

[@Fiscals_Organics]

Kevin thank you for taking our request on making seed to harvest videos!!!! It really helps people visualize a plan of action having never grown a crop, it allows them to really succeed !!!!!!

[@jackzampella5758]

Kevin, I'm growing Golden Boy for the first time this year. I'm also growing my favorite red beat called Merlin. I can't wait to compare the two. 👍

[@Thrash230723]

Growing beets for the first time this year, glad you made this video!

[@lassalkey138]

From Kingston, Jamaica...love yr expertise...but, MY BEETS "FOOLED" ME! THEY POPPED OUT IN 3 DAYS!!!😂

[@francesbatycki404]

Timely. My beets are just germinating and I’ve just taken out the last of the frozen beets for our supper. Love beets.

[@AnthonyKittiudom]

Big fan of these ideas that show the entire process! Thank you, looking forward to more of these

[@BigboiiTone]

I will say however that I did learn from this! I had been frustrated by beets crowding themselves. I hadn't realised the seed companies jam them together like that. I'll try to find a company that packages them correctly

[@growagarden54]

Great video and information. The time lapse progression is great to show the visual of what to expect during the growing season. I also enjoy the storing and cooking suggestions - very thorough video. Thank you.

[@epicgardening]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@QueenBee-qd7vx]

Question... I first started watching you when you did your 30 day challenge of living off what you could grow etc... would you do that challenge again now with your new space? And do you think you can live off of what you grow now without the bartering etc? It's been amazing to watch you expand your business. I enjoy your work and expertise very much.

[@amaliasradi687]

you should try to pickle them THEY ARE EPIC

[@userunknown7675]

I'm in a cold climate and this is my first year with more space then a square meter (150 times as much) so I sown beets a while ago and planted them out 2 weeks ago. Due to the wether I used some fleece and the snails really loved the cover I provided for them they ate all my beet plants guess who is sowing again tomorow.

[@Estertje93]

Aww poop. I'm in the same boat with slugs, there's so many of them. I try to bait them with lettuce plants and i make a little shelter for them (upside down shard of broken pottery), so i can turn it over and kill them. Going to plant out my beets today so i hope most will live 🤞

[@psykedude]

I often have the same problem! For me the thing that helps is having no cover at all, o mulch or anything in the early season. The beets don't grow too fast anyway so they don't require too much water and I can plant them a bit deeper than usual. This way the top soil stays drier which the slugs seem to dislike

[@Donna_G]

My first introduction to beets was from my mom. She would buy canned beets and drain the liquid off; then she would soak them in vinegar overnight in the refrigerator. That's how I ate them. When I learned how to ferment cabbage into sauerkraut, I wondered if I could ferment beets. For the longest time, I looked for fresh beets at the store. Last year, I finally found a bundle of organic beets that were on sale. There was only one bundle; so, I bought it. I don't remember how long I let the beets ferment; but, they turned out well enough that I wanted to try and grow my own. The store had so many varieties of beet seeds. The fresh beets that I had gotten from the produce department were a dark red color; so, I just looked for seed packets that had dark red beets on the front and purchased one package. After watching this video, I think I know what I would do differently next time. Our growing season is about 120 days and much of that is hot, dry weather. Our last frost is anywhere from the end of April to the middle of May. There are plenty of things that I can grow; but, I like to try new things.

[@doinacampean9132]

"Problems in the bedroom" is the canary in the mine for cardiovascular disease. Beets are not an aphrodisiac, but they do improve the health of your blood vessels.

[@loriseeley7823]

Was that Babka? I really hope so. She's so sweet!!!! Missing her in the videos. Every garden needs a cat!!! Hoping she is safe and sound :)

[@loriseeley7823]

Never mind.I got so excited I commented before watching the whole video. I think it was before she went missing :(

[@kimberlyearly8918]

I'm one of the people that think beets taste like dirt. I am trying the golden beet though because apparently whatever it is that makes them taste like that to some people is less in the golden one. I hope I can get past my hatred of them. They are really healthy for you! Although, the red ones are healthier.

[@michellesotelo85]

Thanks for this info, I didn't know the seeds didn't require to be thinned out, I don't love beets enough to have been bothered with that, but now I may end up trying to grow some

[@JChalant]

3:08 I see a spirit of the garden in the background there.

[@tdavis832]

Kevin you make this look so easy! I tried planting last year and it did not turn out like this haha I think my timing was off doing it too late in the season (I’m in Colorado). Trying again this year, in spring, wish me luck!

[@elizabethrufener7280]

Have you tried growing rhubarb? I loved it a child. It’s super expensive in the grocery store.

[@tracycrider7778]

I have found that the northwest side of my house my rhubarb has blossomed ❤( grown in nicely)

[@jip7896]

i just got my sprouted today after we had a massive rain poor in australia this will help me alot thankyou

[@mattnyman9933]

This. Is my first year of serious gardening in years. If I am successful at growing the beets, I'm gonna add the tops to my kimchee

[@diannebartkus9893]

Excellent video. I presently have 20 rolling in 6-pak trays and am ready to transplant so this video was just in time for me. Thx!!!

[@themessycrafter8503]

Omg the way you pronounce Chioggia is super funny 😂 it's a city in Italy, famous also for a special radish (Radicchio tardivo di Chioggia which tastes super good but it's almost impossible to harvest out of that specific area).To pronounce Chioggia = /Ki:/ (like word Key), /O/, /J/ is the closest sound to the "ggi" part, then an hard /A/, like in Avocado. :) 🥑 Thank you for this amazing video! I am trying to grow my first veggies in containers this year, so i am watching your videos and shorts almost daily 😊

[@redram3725]

I love the taste of dirt beets ❤ I LOVE THEM

[@dyanneall8921]

I just bought my B I Golden Boy seeds yesterday. It took me a while to find them. I'm in zone 7a and will be preparing my bed for planting very soon.

[@adamsrosales6519]

Looking forward to your bears and Battlestar Galactica videos

[@whereswipa2268]

I love the history of these veggies!!

[@kimwiley4776]

I love to juice fresh beets with carrots,oranges.

[@richardwilliams3839]

I love beets especially the juice I make at home I bought in wholefoods put in my garden some of them start coming up already may 2023 I like all beets very niceeeeee

[@DavidS-gx1ok]

My favorite recipie on youtube: beet root chops from bong eats channel. A savory vegtable crocket (like tator tots) delicious and filled with delicious ingredients like nuts, herbs potatoes and coconut

[@cornbreadfedkirkpatrick9647]

You can use the beets as a natural dye for cloth.

[@readbooks9985]

I love beet tops and beet roots. I like the tops even better than the roots. Raw beets are good in smoothies too.

[@lucycantoya-xb7hd]

Very noice I see Kevin, I click

[@epicgardening]

Love you Mango

[@lucycantoya-xb7hd]

Thanks!

[@jewelweed7427]

This video was perfect timing. I have lots of beet sprouts that just germinated. The type is "Detroit dark red."

[@epicgardening]

A classic!

[@slvrcross]

I was actually going to make a video on this topic; fortunately you beet me to it 🤓

[@myurbangarden7695]

Love chard, beets are good for juicing and roasting.

[@simonebourgeois9377]

I love beets but I'm growing them this year just for the greens

[@heathermiddleton4958]

Kevin, is that Bobca in the background?

[@heathermiddleton4958]

Never mind. I realized when you said it's a month later that the first part was shot a while ago.

[@jessigrant3751]

I was so excited to try golden boy and I can't seem to get the root to size up. It's been almost 2.5 months 😅

[@epicgardening]

Make sure soil's not waterlogged

[@MsWDWFAN1]

Did I see Babka?!?! Glad she's home! Or is this an older video? I used to not like beets but when I had them roasted, I became a beet fan! They seem fairly easy to grow.

[@lupitacameron9693]

I was thinking the same until Kevin said it was fall. Then I noticed he had a jacket on. Babka you’re missed!😢

[@epicgardening]

She's not back :(

[@MsWDWFAN1]

😭😭😭

[@karenyhogan5196]

Love the greens and beets

[@ElBeeEss]

Mmmm, beeeeets. I grew a few for the first time last year. I love to roast them in coconut oil with salt and cumin and sprinkle them with desiccated coconut. OMG, om nom nom!

[@SilvrRazorFeather]

This is fantastic timing, I just subscribed and plan on trying my hand at growing beets this year. And! The seeds I ordered this winter are bull's blood and golden!

[@consciousgardener9790]

I always thought that you could not transplant beets. Thank you for this video. I will start some seeds tomorrow.

[@danh9430]

Have you ever tried growing sweet granadilla

[@JonathanSladkoTV]

3:00 in BABKA LIVES!

[@bigsidable]

Detroit RED Beets Rock City. I MAKE A VEGGIE SMOOTHY WITH BEETS,CARROTS, CELERY AND ASPERGES AS MY BASE.

[@ninjamackboyz6512]

I love your garden

[@bigsidable]

I like to actualy plant the container with the beet in the container. Bury the beets in there container. Wait a day or so. Then remove them from the dirt and remove the plant that has made it hole. So much better way to transplant. I do that with all my transplanting. The accumulate and i have a stable foundation for tĥe root.

[@sarah_farm]

You work so hard to build your dreams!

[@trekolli]

Thank you for sharing Mr.Bull, on the same path here in my zone 7.

[@billyscenic5610]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@JoanneLouie]

Would love when you do seed to harvest videos is if you review the soil type and mix you use.

[@daleservidio2034]

Thanks for all the great beet info Kevin!

[@PsyCodeqz]

the beet greens are great to turn into kimchee, still trying to find the best way to eat the stalks though, I noticed the stalks taste very similar to apple so now I'm trying to figure out through the internet what compliments the taste of the apples the best other than caramel. But I must say that I have no idea what stalks taste like when steamed yet. Regardless, beet greens look beautiful during the day. Also don't cut the tail off of the beet, it has alot of nutrients and it's extra sweet, you don't even have to cut the skin off either, just wash it and cook

[@thomaspaulson3833]

Your videos are extremely informative! Thank you! I have a soil question though, don’t beets typically like more of a silt loamy soil? Planting my first batch and unsure of the soil I should use.

[@mattandbarbhartt2860]

Love the multi sowing Kevin! I started that last year and is the only way to go for me!

[@brendadodd1075]

Can you cut the greens on the beet and leave the beet in the ground to continue growing?

[@tracycrider7778]

You can but don’t cut all the greens off

[@japhie5755]

Beets look so good❤

[@JoshuaSaundersAtLarge]

Beets are totally worth growing, and they keep incredibly long in the crisper drawer. I'm surprised you peel them. I oven roast in foil, then the skins slip right off. I have much better luck with spring beets than fall though. Albino white also have less of that earthy flavor. I'm also in the love pickled beets camp. Food all year long, grow a ton.

[@felicitywoodruffe4087]

Me too beets grow really well in my area as its coolant damp summer temperature usually in the 70's and we get quite a lot of rain .I love pickled whole baby beets

[@epicgardening]

I peeled the ones in the vid cause I was gonna make beet pasta :)

[@JoshuaSaundersAtLarge]

@@epicgardening I'm hoping that means spiral cutting the beet into a noodle, because that sounds amazing as a chilled "pasta" salad, and I've never tried it, so that's on my list now.