CULTURE: First-rate crops grow quickly in light or loamy soils with a pH over 6.0. In general, cool temperatures produce the best flesh color. Acute weather fluctuations will cause zoning (white rings) in the roots.
TRANSPLANTING: Sow seed in a cold frame or indoors in early spring, about 5-6 weeks before transplanting out after heavy frosts become infrequent. Sow seeds 6mm deep, 3-4 seeds per 25mm. Transplant out 75mm apart in rows 30-45cm apart.
MICRO-FARMING GUIDE for 75cm Permabed
INTENSIVE SPACING: 3 rows 30cm per bed spaced every 12cm on the row. ie; 24 plants/metre, 720plants/30metres Jang seeder: LJ-12, gears 13Front -10Back, brush 1-3 mm, no felt
DIRECT SEEDING: Begin early sowings when soil has warmed to 7C. Sow 15 seeds/30cm at 6mm deep, rows 30-45cm apart. Thin to 1 plant per 5cm. For a continuous supply of greens and small tender beets, sow seed at 2-week intervals until 8 weeks before regular heavy frosts are expected.
PAPERPOT TRANSPLANTS: For smaller restaurant bulbs batch plant 5cm paperchain C303, For larger C.S.A and market produce paperchain LP-15 15cm transplant at 3-5 weeks after germination. Batch Seeder plate 4.5mm
DISEASES: Keep beets well irrigated to prevent scab, the same disorder that affects potatoes, causing raised brown rough spots on the mature roots. Internal breakdown or browning is most likely to occur in alkaline soils after prolonged hot, dry periods. This is caused by a deficiency of the nutrient boron. Rotate crops to prevent Cercospora leaf spot.
HARVEST AND STORAGE: Fork or undermine, lift plants, wash and hydrocool, and store bunches 10 days at 2C and 95% relative humidity.
WINTER STORAGE OF ROOTS: Sow about 10 weeks before heavy freeze is expected. Cut tops, wash, and store 6 months at 0-2C and 95% humidity.
DAYS TO MATURITY: From direct seeding; subtract 14-21 days if transplants are used.
AVG. SEEDING RATE: 1000/20metres, 5,000/100m, 436,000/acre @15 seeds/30cm and 45cm between rows.
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