When to remove beets from the garden for storage

On the territory of Our Country, beets began to be grown in the tenth century. The vegetable immediately fell in love with both the common people and the nobility. Since then, many different varieties and types of root crops have appeared. Such a rich selection can satisfy even the most demanding gardener. In general, beets are fairly easy to grow. The vegetable is valued for its unpretentiousness, and the ability to grow well in almost any type of soil. However, not everyone knows when to remove beets from the garden. Below you will see the answer to this question.

Features of the root crop

Breeders have managed to develop different varieties of beets that can grow even in the most adverse conditions. Even the most inept gardeners can cope with such a task. When choosing a variety, it is necessary to take into account climatic features. The following facts will help you make your choice:

• in the northern regions of the country, where the summer is cool and very short, it is best to grow medium and early varieties. Such beets grow no more than 100 days, so by the time the cold weather arrives, you will definitely have time to harvest;
• there are frost-resistant varieties of beets that can be planted before winter and immediately after the snow subsides. Harvesting of beets of such varieties is carried out at the end of July. Unlike early beets, frost-resistant beets are stored much better;
• if you need to keep beets fresh throughout the winter, you need to buy late and mid-season varieties. In this case, it will be possible to harvest the crop only in September. The concentration of sugar in the beets is responsible for the preservation of the fruit. It is by the beginning of September that this indicator will reach the norm.

When to remove beets from the garden

You can determine the maturity of the fruit by the following signs:

1. The first step is to pay attention to the characteristics of the cultivated variety. The manufacturer indicates on the package how long the growing season of this beet lasts. Usually early-ripening varieties ripen in 2-3 months. So by the end of July – the beginning of August, it will already be possible to collect young fruits. But mid-season and late varieties ripen no earlier than after 3,5 months.
2. Please note that the dates indicated on the packaging may not be accurate. Much depends on weather conditions or climatic features of the region. Sometimes it is even better to overexpose the beets in the garden. For example, in dry and warm weather, various vitamins and sugar accumulate in fruits. If the autumn is wet and cold, then it is better to harvest immediately after ripening. A long stay of beets in such conditions will only spoil the quality of the fruit.
3. You can determine the maturity of the fruit by external signs. As soon as the root crop is ripe, the upper part of the plant will begin to die off. The leaves near the base of the fruit will begin to turn yellow and dry. It is also important to consider the shape and size of the fruit. If they meet the declared characteristics, then it’s time to harvest.
4. It is also worth immediately starting harvesting fruits if frosts come soon. This usually happens only with late beet varieties. Even if the vegetables are not yet ripe, they are still removed from the garden. The fact is that even light frosts can harm the root crop, which then simply begins to deteriorate.
5. If frost does not threaten, it is better not to rush to harvest. The last weeks of growth are very important for this vegetable.

How to collect beets

Growing beautiful and tasty beets is just the beginning. In order for the fruits to be stored for a long time and save all the useful properties, you need to know some subtleties:

1. When choosing the timing of beet harvesting, consider the weather conditions. This is best done in warm, dry weather. Humidity promotes the spread of rot, so even a little rain can harm the crop.
2. It is most reliable to pull the roots with your hands. Thus, you will definitely not damage or cut the fruit. If the soil is too dense, then you will have to use additional tools, such as a shovel or fork. It is important not to damage the beets themselves. The slightest cuts will provoke the spread of all kinds of viruses and fungi.
3. After digging, cut the tops from the harvested root crops. To do this, use a special pruner or scissors. It is necessary to cut the leaves quite shortly, leaving no more than 1 cm. Due to this, in the winter, the beets will not germinate again. If the root is too long, then it should also be cut a little.
4. After that, the peeled fruits must be dried. You can just leave the beets on the site. When the top of the root crop dries, it can be turned over to the other side. If weather conditions do not allow leaving the crop on the street, then it would be better to spread the fruits in one layer in any dry room or under a canopy. This place or room should be well ventilated.
5. Before placing the root crops in the cellar, you need to carefully sort and sort the fruits.

How to store beets

A properly prepared crop can be stored for a long time in a suitable room. In addition, it is important that the conditions of detention are appropriate:

• a dry basement or cellar is perfect for storing fruits. This place must be cool. The ideal temperature is between 0 and 3°C. The main thing is that the indicator does not fall below. The floor and walls in the room must be strong and reliable so that neither moisture nor rodents get inside;
• a small amount of the root crop can be stored in the refrigerator. Thus, a fresh vegetable will always be at hand;
• in large stores, root crops are placed in special wooden boxes, bags or baskets. Also, the fruits can be sprinkled with sawdust or sand. If there are no special containers, vegetables are simply distributed over the surface of the racks.

Conclusion

As you can see, it is very important to correctly determine when to harvest root crops. It depends on how long the harvested beets will be stored in the winter. It is difficult to predict when exactly the fruits will need to be harvested in 2017, but following the signs and rules described above, we will definitely harvest the beets on time.