Growing beets for seeds in a mild winter

General Discussions
1

I’ve recently grown to love eating beets, and I’ve now had enough success growing them that I want more. I have the garden space to let some beets mature into the second year to potentially produce seeds, but I’m in south Louisiana (9a) and I’m not sure if the winter will provide adequate vernalization. Our winters typically have several freezing nights and occasional days where the highs hover around freezing, but those cold spells are usually separated in time by weeks of warmer weather.

Is anyone out there successfully getting beet seeds in a similar climate? If I have to pull the plants for the winter for an artificial vernalization, that will be too much work. So I’m hoping that doing this the low-maintenance way is possible.

4 Likes
2

Im working on the same thing. Texas zone 8a. I have a few first year plants growing right now. My concern is if they’ll make it through summer.

1 Like
3

Beets souldn’t need much cold at all. Here in the far north it’s recommended to sow them only after likely severe frosts are gone. Some bolt anyway, but it might be due to other factors aswell. I would think that if you have any reliable cold period they will bolt. I have no experience on that, but it seems that with enough variance there will be some that bolt even in climate that you discribed. Something like Florida might be a bit more difficult in many spots.

2 Likes
4

@JinTX Fingers crossed for both of us. Some of my beets will get afternoon shade from tomatoes. Hopefully they survive the brutal summer.

@JesseI Good to know. I will give it a try.

2 Likes
5

My winters are even warmer (zone 10, about 150 chill hours) and I have beets go to seed all the time.

1 Like
6

Ok great, I guess I’m just paranoid then. We get about twice your chill hours here. Thanks.

1 Like
7

Yes, we get beet seeds. I start beets in September or October and leave them in the ground all winter, its a mild winter, less than 80 chill hours.. . They bolt when it get about 103 degrees at the followinglate spring. Problem is if the temperature keeps climbing, if it gets to 107 degrees before they flower and set seed, then all of it fries in the heat. So every few years that higher heat happens and I miss out on alot for seed crops.

1 Like
8

It would be some extra management but maybe you could put a clear tote over groups of plants. Get the greenhouse effect going, let them think the heat of summer hit. Then leave the tote off. Trick them into starting to bolt sooner.
Obviously not the hands off way. But it could get you more seeds to build up to do the hands off natural selection way.

1 Like
9

Do you plant in full sun?

1 Like
10

Yes, can try that this next season.

11

Yes, in full sun.

12

I wonder if planting in the shade of a deciduous tree would allow the best combination in our hotter climates.

Full sun in winter and full or part shade in summer. The heat may still be an issue, but it might be enough to push them a little further.

1 Like
13

I just have to get them in the ground when the soil cools, plant succession plantings every two weeks, and just harvest what I can to eat, and when they bolt, the rest is for seed. Im happy to have fresh beets to eat and still get seeds.