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Most plants need a certain amount of sun to grow; be it fruit trees, vegetables, flowers, or just shrubs. But while some like it hot, some prefer a little shade to balance things out.
Beets are one of the easiest vegetables to grow because they mature fast, have very few pests and disease troubles and don’t need cutting back. Do beets need full sun and under what conditions do they grow well?
This article will explain exactly how much sun beets need– full sun, partial shade, or full shade and for how long.
Planting Beets
Beets may also be referred to as beetroot, garden beet, or spinach beet and originated from the Mediterranean. They are grown from seeds that are planted in the garden.
Plant 2 to 4 seeds per hole a few weeks before the last frost date.
During this time, you must water consistently so that they germinate easily. You should expect to harvest in 2 months, or from midsummer to late autumn.
Aside from the garden, you can also grow beets in raised beds and containers. Most gardeners grow them as annual crops.
How Many Hours Of Sun Do Beets Need?
Do beets need full sun? Beets need to receive sun for a span of 4 hours to a whole day, depending on some factors.
The amount of sun beets need depends on the climate in which they are grown. That is to say, if you live in a very cold climate, your beets will need access to the sun for a longer period to meet their growing demands.
But if you live in an extremely hot zone, you should only let your beets remain in full sun for a maximum of 6 hours daily. After that, shade should be applied.
In summary, beets should receive 4 to 6 hours of full sun in temperate climates while in areas that don’t get high temperatures, they can be allowed a full day of sun.
Can Beets Grow In Partial Shade?
Gardeners love planting beets because of the ease with which they can be grown. Beets are cool-season crops and can tolerate shade well.
You can use beets in a lot of ways; some people grow them for the root part and some for the leaves alone. Others eat both the leaves and roots.
If you grow them to eat the leaves alone, you can grow them in partial shade for as long as you want because foliage growth is not affected but if you intend to use the roots, it is advised that you let them grow in full sun for the best harvest.
Do beets need full sun? Yes, they do because the inadequate sun can make the roots taste unpleasant, so a minimum of 4 hours of direct sun every day is needed.
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Can Beets Grow in Full Shade?
Beets can grow in full shade but beets grown in the direct sun are generally in better shape.
When beets are planted in heavily shaded spaces, they tend to grow at a much slower rate and some may not even reach maturity when due. They are also smaller and can develop disfigured roots.
In the absence of direct, full sun, the foliage does not grow profusely and you may find that instead, they are scanty. Also, the taste of the roots is affected when the beets are grown in full shade.
Full shade provides a more favorable atmosphere for pests and diseases to multiply and attack.
The Consequences Of Beets Not Getting Enough Sun.
If you choose to plant beets in either partial or full shade, it is only proper to have an understanding of what may go wrong.
Beets grown in shade can have more setbacks compared to those allowed to receive the recommended amount of direct sun.
Beet plants can become spindly if they are started with a light source that is too far away or dim; the beets stretch towards the light, becoming spindly. The result, of course, will be that they simply can’t support themselves and you get beets that are falling over.
As mentioned before, beets planted in shade can develop abnormal roots, be small in size, and have an undesirable taste. Moreover, they are more susceptible to developing fungal diseases since the environment is always moist.
If they aren’t in a very sunny location, consider moving them somewhere that gets more light. Also don’t plant them near other plants that could overshadow them without giving them adequate space.
With enough sunlight, beetroots will grow nice and big, safe from diseases.
Is It Possible For Beets To Get Too Much Sun?
Having established that beets need full sun to grow to their fullest potential, you may be wondering “how much is too much?”. Can beets get too much sun?
What happens if they do? Beets can be exposed to too much sun and there are always signs to look for.
Fortunately, this is the right place to learn what sun overexposure in beets looks like and how to fix it.
Beets can get too much sun if the temperatures get very high. In temperate regions, you may worry less about your beets getting excess sun because temperatures rarely soar.
Do beets need full sun? They do and they prefer growing in temperatures between 60 and 70°F during the day and cool nights around 50 to 60°F.
Signs that your beets are probably receiving too much sun are:
1. Wilting or drooping leaves
2. Leaves turning brown
3. Curling leaves
To prevent this from happening, plant beets in areas where they can get more morning sun and less afternoon heat and water them thoroughly. Overhead watering is generally not recommended because it splashes heavily on the leaves and can cause fungal diseases.
Soaker hoses or drip hoses are a great pick for growing beets as they can run water closer to the roots and save more water in the process.
FAQ’s
What are the best conditions for growing beets?
Beets are a fantastic vegetable to plant in both the spring and the late summer since they are designed to flourish in cool temperatures. When the days are warm (60 to 70 degrees) and the nights are cool, they thrive (50 to 60 degrees). If the temperature falls below 50 degrees for an extended period of time, they can go to seed.
What month is best to plant beets?
As soon as the soil is suitable for planting, begin your first round of beets.
Germination takes place in 5 to 8 days in soil that is at least 50°F (10°C) in temperature.
How many beets will one plant produce?
a beet
can I plant beets in pots?
Beets require a pot that is at least ten inches deep so that the roots have room to spread out and flourish. Depending on how many beets you wish to plant, the container can be as broad or long as you like. Remember that they must be planted three inches apart to allow for adequate maturation.
Can you grow beets in a raised bed?
You can use any size raised bed to cultivate beets because they can be grown in compact areas. Mix dirt, compost, and potting soil to fill your raised bed with. Rows of beet seeds should be spaced 8 inches (20 cm) apart. Thin your beet seedlings once they start to grow so that you have one plant every 4 inches (10 cm) along
Final Remarks
You don’t need any special maintenance to grow beets. Just keep your beds well weeded to prevent competition and be sure to hold beetroots in place when pulling out weeds to ensure that you don’t accidentally pull up your beetroots.
Do beets need full sun? Now you know that beets need full sun to produce large, delicious roots.
Giving full sun also keeps pests and diseases at bay till harvest. Beets can tolerate shade, though, especially if you are growing them for just their leaves.
Beyond their great savor and use in food, beets offer a lot of health bonuses. From studies, it has been discovered that consuming beets helps to:
- lower blood pressure
- reduce the risk of heart attacks
- maintain a healthy liver
- aid digestion
- control blood sugar levels and lots more.
With all these advantages plus how easy they are to handle, won’t you love to grow beets too?
