When Do I Harvest My Beets?

[Mackay]

We are suppose to have a hard freeze tuesday night and I have a lot of beets in the ground. It is predicted to be between 23 and 29 at night for the next 5 days.

Many beets are half uncovered of soil and quite large but they are still growing.

the others are still under soil.. they were planted 5 weeks after the others and I dont think they are ready enough.

Will this freeze hurt them, the exposed ones? the covered ones? Should I harvest tomorrow?

thanks in advance!

 

[lesa]

I would go ahead and harvest most of them. Certainly the ones that are above ground. It isn't that beets can't take a freeze- but it sounds like a prolonged cold spell is coming. They are not going to be growing in those temps. Beets can be enjoyed quite small, and don't forget about the greens!

 

[Mackay]

Im so sad... it wont be above freezing at night till oct 9. Guess this is the end of all the garden fun.

chard and kale from here on out.. till the snow flies I guess.

 

[hoodat]

Beets can be harvested any time from marble size on up. The small beets are usually cooked with the greens still attached. If any put up a flower stalk harvest all of those right away before they get woody.

 

[journey11]

I've harvested Detroit Dark Reds as large as baseballs and they are still good and tender.

You might as well go ahead and harvest them if a freeze is coming. They will pretty much stop growing anyway. They can be overwintered with some protection, but I don't see why bother.

 

[897tgigvib]

If you leave one or 2 of the big ones, and one or 2 of the small ones you might get a learning experience out of it to see if they bounce back.

Gardening does not have to be completely over. Ya might want to grow some Peppers from seed indoors near a south window and or with a flourescent lamp. Plant heat pads these days are cheap and only use 17 watts. I do count my watts being off grid. Or hopw about some cool houseplants. Some are easy, and some make for a fine challenge.