1 | Appearance
While the deep purple-red variety is the most popular, beets come in a variety of colors including golden yellow, white and even rainbow-colored. The seed is tan with a rough corncob appearance. The large leafy green tops, which also are edible, may have red veining or be entirely purple.
2 | Use
Beets can be used in a multitude of ways, from tossing them into a salad, to air-frying, pickling, juicing, roasting, braising and more. Beets also are the base for borscht, a traditional Eastern European soup. The leaves, which are also great sautéed or in salads, make a healthy addition to soups, smoothies and sandwiches.
3 | Grow
While beets prefer cooler temperatures, they need at least six hours of sun per day. Plant beets in well-draining rich, loose soil, and provide a deep layer of mulch to cool the roots. Pre-soak seeds to increase germination rates and plant each seed 1 inch deep and 2-4 inches apart. Thin out the seedlings when they are 2-3 inches tall. Beets should be harvested before a hard frost. Companion plants for beets include bush beans and onions.
4 | Learn
Beets and their greens are excellent sources of fiber; antioxidants; folate; vitamins A, B9 and K; manganese, copper and potassium.
5 | Lagniappe
The biggest beet in the world – weighing more than 156 pounds – was grown by a Dutchman.
