Beetroot is usually sown very densely and pricked out later. This can be done in the seed pot or directly in the bed. In the following you will learn how to separate your beetroot in the bed.

Beets should be singled out before the seedlings form deep roots

Sow beetroot in the bed

If you want to sow beetroot directly into the bed, you should wait until mid-May because the young seedlings are very sensitive to cold. Then proceed as follows:

  • Make planting grooves about 30 cm apart, into which you plant the beetroot seeds one to two centimeters deep.
  • Sow a seed every one to two centimetres, after all these will later be pricked out.
  • Cover the seeds with soil and water them well.
  • During the coming weeks, make sure that the soil around the germinating seeds is always slightly moist.

When should beetroot be singulated?

Beetroot germinates after about ten to fourteen days and then grows quite quickly. The best time to prick out is about four to six weeks after sowing, when the beetroot has reached a height of one to three centimeters.

How is the beetroot singulated: A guide

All you need to separate them is a chopstick with a pointed tip. This can be a toothpick, a shish kebab stick or a special pikire stick.
To separate the beetroot, proceed as follows:

  • Choose the plants to keep. These should be strong, healthy seedlings. These are not touched.
  • Separate so that only about every seven centimeters a beet remains.
  • Use the stick to loosen the soil around the seedling you want to remove.
  • Grab the plantlet as close to the roots as possible without grabbing plant parts from neighboring beets.
  • Gently pull out the seedling with a gentle shaking motion.
  • Lightly press down the loosened soil around the remaining plants.

What to do with the pricked out plants?

Now it would be a pity to simply throw away the pricked out plants. That's also completely redundant, because you can use them whole:

  • You can replant the pricked out seedlings in another place and grow them into large beets.
  • You can use them for delicious dishes. Here are a few simple recipe ideas.
  • The red seedlings are also ideal as a decoration for hearty dishes.

Category:

Vegetable garden