How to Harvest And Store Beets
Whether you are planning on canning and preserving your harvest, or just want to store your beets for a little longer, there are several things you can do to make sure they are fresh and ready for your family. Read on to learn more.
Decide Whether They’re Ready to Harvest
Choosing when to harvest and store beets can seem like a simple matter of looking at the date on your seed package, but there are several factors that should be considered when determining when to take them from the ground. Some of these factors are the same, and others are unique.
The most important indicator of beet harvest readiness is the size of the root. This may vary from variety to variety, but a few inches is a good rule of thumb.
Another indicator is the woody appearance. This is not necessarily a surefire sign of beet readiness, but it is worth a look. Specifically, the shoulders of the root should be a little smoother. A deep color is a good indicator of a ripe beet, but a red beet is less useful.
In general, beets are ready for harvest between 50 and 70 days after planting. The specific date will depend on the variety you are growing, as well as the time of year. There are a few varieties that are only ready for harvest at 60 days, so be prepared to wait.
The size of the beetroot is also a good indicator of ripeness. A root that is too large will not keep well. A small beet has a fresher flavor.
Prepare The Soil
Whether you grow beets for the roots or the greens, preparation of the soil before harvesting and storing is essential. Soil that is properly prepared can improve your harvest and increase shelf life.
Beets grow best when planted in early spring, before the first frost, and when temperatures are cool. They will also grow in a sunny location protected from the wind. During the growing season, you should water your plants regularly. Beets require at least five hours of sunlight daily.
The soil should be loose enough to allow for the beets’ growth. If the soil is tightly compacted, it can hold onto the beets and inhibit their development. A 6-inch-wide layer of organic mulch or leaves should extend at least 18 inches around the plants.
Beets need well-drained, fertile soil. Soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal. If your soil has a pH below 6.0, lime should be added to raise the pH. You can also raise the pH of soil by adding compost.
When planting beets, plant them in rows 12-18 inches apart. They should be planted a half-inch deep. If the plants are small, thin them out by spacing them 3 inches apart.
Harvesting beets involves removing the tops and leaves. The roots are usually buried in the soil. If the roots are damaged or bruised, the roots will not store well.
Canning And Preserving
Using a canner to can and preserve beets is a fun and easy way to preserve your favorite snack. Beets are a delicious and colorful addition to your pantry. You can add them to a variety of recipes.
You can whole beets or cut them into small pieces. You can also pickle beets. You can process pickles using a water bath canner. Both methods will help you keep pickles fresher for longer.
When canning beets, you will need to prepare a canner and clean your jars. You will also need to label your jars with a dissolvable label or marker. Using a canner makes it easy to preserve your beets for a longer time.
Before canning beets, you should cook the beets. You should also check the jars and make sure they are sealed. If they are not, you should refrigerate them and reprocess them.
When canning beets, it’s important to remove the skins before canning. Leaving them in canner jars will cause the food to turn discolored. You should also remove the air bubbles with a bubble popper.
Leaving a 1″ headspace in the jars will help you process the beets properly. Larger beets take longer to cook than smaller ones. You should also cook the beets until they are cooked through.
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