Growing beets in the country by seedling

Many inexperienced gardeners believe that the cultivation of beets does not require special knowledge. However, this is not quite the right idea. Growing beets from seedlings involves compliance with certain rules.

Beet: Is it possible to plant seedlings

If you plant this root crop from a seedling, then it can be sown as early as April and even at home. The seedling method is remarkable in that it makes it possible to receive the first fruits 3-4 weeks earlier (already in July) than when grown from seeds. At an early age, this root crop tolerates the transplant quite well and during care it is possible not to thin out the planting, which allows to reduce labor costs.

Landing time

Many believe that they know when to plant beets for seedlings. However, the first thing that needs to be taken into account is that this root crop is extremely negative for frost. For example, in the middle lane, in the Urals or in Siberia, it will have to be transplanted into open ground no earlier than May. It should be remembered that on the window sill the seedlings are drawn out, and the yield of future plants decreases. Therefore, it is better to sow seeds for seedlings in April.

If you have a greenhouse or greenhouse, the seed can be planted a month earlier - in March, and on the beds - in late April.

Sowing seeds

By and large, planting beets for seedlings is not such an intricate process. The most important thing is to properly prepare the soil and seeds.

Preparation of the substrate and the choice of capacity for planting

The soil for sowing can be either ready from the store or prepared by yourself. For the preparation of soil mixtures are used:

• 2 parts peat;
• 1 part of manure (humus);
• 1 part of sod land;
• 0.5 parts of sand;
• compost.

Since this root crop does not like acidity, wood resin is added to the substrate (0.5 cups for every 5 liters of the mixture). Before planting the substrate should be etched "Fitosporin", "Vitaros" or "Maxim". This is done to prevent the appearance of various diseases (black leg, fomoz, etc.).

Capacity for planting can serve as a not too deep wooden container, as well as individual small containers.

Preparation of planting material

Before sowing beet seeds for seedlings, they must be prepared.

Approximately 2-3 days before planting, the seed is soaked in warm water, in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or in a solution of growth stimulant. After - washed, dried and planted in the soil.

Landing pattern

Preliminary small grooves are made in the container at a distance of 5 cm. The prepared material is laid out on a wet substrate at a distance of 3 cm and slightly sprinkled with the same soil (layer - 1-1.5 cm). After that, water the seedlings, cover with plastic wrap and remove the container in a greenhouse or other place.

Care of seedlings

In principle, the care of beet seedlings is no different from the care of seedlings of other cultures.The most important thing is to maintain a constant temperature (+ 18-20 ° C), regularly air the room and moisten the soil.

If the container was shallow and rare planting, you can not pick a pick. However, most varieties of this root from one seed produce several shoots. In this case, the seedlings of beets grown at home, must be thinned. Moreover, remote seedlings can be taken for additional planting. When diving, the same soil is used as when sowing. Only add a tablespoon of nitroammofoski to 5 liters of soil mixture. After diving, seedlings are watered.

Seedlings preferably fed every 14 days. To do this, you can use the "Fertika", "Weave", "Fortress".

Transplanting seedlings in open ground

When 4 full leaves appear on the seedlings, it can be transplanted into open ground. And the soil should warm up to +10 ° C.

Location selection

For planting beet seedlings in open ground, it is necessary to choose well-lit areas with loose and fertile soil - medium loam, peatlands.Although, if other conditions of care are observed, this root crop can produce good yields even in shaded places. Experts recommend planting this root crop on the places where they used to plant:

• potato;
• bow;
• eggplants;
• cucumbers;
• tomatoes;
• peas.

Since this root vegetable loves fertile soil, it needs to be saturated with organic matter. To do this, per square meter add 3 kg of humus, manure or fermented well compost and 30-40 g of fertilizer containing potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen.

Process description

For growing beet seedlings, the soil must be drained and constantly receive oxygen. For this, the place where it is planned to plant the root crop should be thoroughly dug, loosened with a rake and add dolomite flour to it.

The wells must be made in such a depth that the roots do not bend and are located exactly in them. The distance between the seedlings should be 4-5 cm, and the size of the spacing - 25 cm.

Before planting, the sprouts are placed in a clay solution and the central root is shortened by a third. After planting, sprouts must be watered with a solution of humate.

After planting the beets for 2-3 days, it is desirable to cover the non-woven material so that it is well rooted. After the sprouts have taken root and the fruit becomes 1.5-2 cm in diameter, the seedlings can be thinned, and by July - the area should be mulched.

Peculiarities of care

By and large, the care of seedlings is reduced to weeding, infrequent loosening and feeding.

Watering

On hot days, before full rooting, seedlings are watered daily. After watering will depend on the weather. Do not re-moisten the root - it can lead to scab disease and loss of harvest. As a rule, beets are watered as the upper layer dries. An ideal irrigation method is sprinkling. Irrigation rate - 2-3 buckets per 1 square. m. A month before the harvesting of root crops, watering is stopped altogether.

Top dressing

Beetroot loves dressing. Therefore, several times per season, the soil is fertilized with such mineral elements:

• superphosphate;
• ammonium nitrate;
• potassium salt.

The first time is fertilized before tying of root crops, the second time - during the period of their formation.

Soil care

No special care for the soil is required. Most care is reduced to thinning plants and simultaneous weeding, which is done immediately after watering and in cloudy weather. Loosen the soil to a depth of 4-6 cm to destroy the crust, which prevents the aeration of root crops.

Harvest

Harvesting depends on the weather. The most important thing is to remove the root crop before frost.

Harvest in sunny, dry weather. At the same time, the root crop should not be cut with a knife - the wounds do not heal for a long time and the moisture necessary for long-term storage leaves them. Dig this root with a fork, removed from the soil and cleaned from the ground.

After harvesting, the beets are dried in a shaded place, put in containers with sand and placed in a cool place.

As you can see, the seedling method of beet cultivation is not only simpler than seed, but also allows you to reduce labor costs and get an earlier and healthier crop.