Anyone who thinks that harvesting beetroot is child's play and can be done without any background knowledge is wrong. To ensure that nothing goes wrong, harvesting the tubers requires certain basic knowledge. But which are they in detail?
A long period of time
If the beets are planted early in March, with a bit of luck, the harvest can begin in May. However, this also depends on the variety. In May, the roots are still small and tender. Only from July onwards are the tubers larger and the harvest more productive.
When harvesting, it is important to note that the tubers have a diameter of between 2.5 and 7.5 cm. This is usually the case from July onwards. The ideal time of day to harvest beetroot is in the afternoon or evening.
The main harvest season starts in October. In autumn it is important to ensure that the beetroot is not exposed to severe frost. It tolerates temperatures down to -3 °C.
The most important steps when harvesting beetroot
When harvesting beetroot, it is not just the timing that determines success or failure. When harvesting itself, there are a few points to consider:
- Pull or dig up root tubers from the ground
- do not cut off the stems completely (they can be stored longer if they are between 2 and 3 cm long)
- turn off the leaves and do not cut them off (otherwise the bulb will 'bleed')
To make the harvest easier, a so-called digging fork can be used as an aid. This carefully lifts the bulb in the ground and pushes it to the surface. The tuft is grabbed with the hands and the tuber finally pulled out.
After harvesting, the tubers can be stored in a cool place for several months. For example, they can be stored in the refrigerator or in damp sand in a box in the basement. The quality of the tubers after storage differs depending on the variety.
tips and tricks
The leaves of the beetroot can also be harvested. This should be done early when they are still tender, small (no larger than 10 cm) and low in oxalic acid. But be careful: In order for the tuber to continue growing, not all leaves must be cut off.