How to Grow Beets in Containers—Even If You Don’t Have a Garden

When garden space is limited, growing vegetables in containers is an excellent option. One vegetable that thrives in containers is the beet. Thanks to its compact size, shallow root systems, and quick maturity, this vegetable is ideal for small-space gardening. Beets can also tolerate both frosts and warmer weather, making them a suitable crop for multiple seasons.

Unlike many other vegetables, beets don’t require deep soil to thrive, and growing them in pots provides you with precise control over their environment to ensure a successful harvest. While this root vegetable performs well in smaller growing spaces, it needs optimal conditions to flourish. Ahead, gardening experts outline the steps for planting and recommend the best beet varieties for container growing. They also provide guidance on harvesting and storing beets.

How to Plant Beets in Containers

Planting beets in containers is a simple process. Before you begin, Jonathan Foster, a horticulturist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, recommends choosing a 2-gallon container, as this provides ample room for growth. Once you have the right size pot, you can sow your seeds.

1. Fill your 2-gallon pot with high-quality, well-draining potting mix.
2. Water the soil lightly so it is moist, not wet.
3. Plant four to six beet seeds in the soil about 1 inch deep, and about an inch apart across the soil surface.
4. Place the container in full sun and water the seeds daily to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot weather, as containers can dry out more quickly than garden beds. Ensure the soil is uniformly damp but not oversaturated.
5. Once the seedlings emerge, which can take five to 14 days, thin them to about 3 inches apart.
6. At this point, Foster recommends cultivating the beets as if they were planted in the ground, but with a greater focus on irrigation, since containers tend to dry out more quickly than soil.

Best Varieties for Container Growing

Beets are quite adaptable and forgiving, but choosing the right variety for container growing can set you up for optimal success. Foster suggests growing smaller varieties in pots and containers, such as 'Early Wonder Tall Top' and 'Red Ace.' For quick-growing types that thrive in small spaces, he adds that 'Babybeat,' 'Moulin Rouge,' and 'Detroit Dark Red' are also suitable for containers.

Care Requirements

While beets are a fantastic choice for container gardening, they do need the right growing conditions to thrive. To ensure their success, provide plenty of sunlight and consistent moisture, and use a high-quality potting mix.

Sunlight

Aim to give your beets six to eight hours of full sun daily to grow. Adequate sunlight promotes the development of larger, sweeter, healthier taproots, preventing stunted growth.  

Soil

Beets thrive in a high-quality, lightweight potting mix that remains consistently moist. To enhance drainage and fertility, you can amend the potting mix with compost or perlite.

Water

Maintain consistently moist soil without letting it become waterlogged. During hot and dry weather, monitor your containers closely, as they can dry out quickly. Foster notes that containers in direct sunlight can lose moisture rapidly, making daily watering essential.

Temperature

Beets are a cool-season crop that thrives in temperatures ranging from 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. While mature beets are resilient and can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, they may bolt and produce seeds when temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods.

Fertilizer

To ensure healthy growth of container-grown beets, fertilize them every two to three weeks with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer, liquid seaweed, or fish emulsion. Begin fertilizing three to four weeks after germination, when the plants reach a height of 2 to 4 inches. Remember that over-fertilizing with nitrogen can result in leafy plants with small roots.

How to Harvest Beets

Beets can be harvested when they prominently "shoulder up," meaning the top curve of the root becomes visible above the soil line, says Foster. This typically happens when the entire root is the size of a tennis ball. "They will continue to grow, but don't let them go too long past this stage, or you'll risk the roots getting woody," he says.

To properly harvest beets from a container, Foster recommends using a small hand fork, trowel, or hori-hori knife to gently lift them from the moistened soil. Pulling them up by the foliage can break the roots, shortening storage life and diminishing quality.

How to Store Beets

Properly storing beets is an excellent way to enjoy them later. While the storage process is straightforward, it’s important to prepare them correctly before storage.

Remove the Greens

Remove the edible greenery from beets before storing them, says Emily Scott, owner of Scott Farm in Maine, as this will keep the beets firm and fresh for weeks rather than days. Leave 1 to 2 inches of stem to prevent bleeding. "Save the greens for salads, but use them within three days," she says.

Don't Wash

Scott warns against washing the beets prior to storage, as this can cause premature rotting, mold growth, and bacteria.

Short-Term Storage

For short-term storage, Scott recommends storing unwashed beets in your refrigerator crisper drawer in a perforated resealable bag. This will keep them firm and fresh for one to two months.

Long-Term Storage

If you have access to one, beets can last for three to eight months in a root cellar, as long as the temperature stays between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, says Scott. The cellar should also be dark and have some humidity.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Like any other garden crop, cultivation issues can arise when growing beets. Be aware of these common problems so you can succeed.

Pests

Leaf miners, aphids, and leafhoppers are common pests that affect beets. Regular inspections and the application of neem oil can help keep these pests under control. Check for damaged or wilted foliage, look for small holes, and inspect the undersides of leaves for webs, aphids, and eggs.

Cracked or Tough Roots

Cracked or tough roots, also known as woody roots, are caused by inconsistent watering or delayed watering. To prevent this, harvest at the proper time and ensure consistent watering.

Too Much Foliage

Using too much nitrogen results in large greens and small beets. To ensure proper growth, fertilize them every two to three weeks with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer, liquid seaweed, or fish emulsion.

Overcrowding

Beets grow in clusters; if they are not thinned properly, they will not produce large bulbs and will only yield greens. Once seedlings emerge, Foster notes they should be thinned to about 3 inches apart.