Do beets require a trellis to grow?

Beets are not aligned with vertical gardening trends their star formation lies beneath the ground. Unlike climbing vegetables, these root crops put energy into growing roots down instead of climbing the stalk height given. I made the mistake of growing beet greens and then being able to harvest willowy beet roots. You need to concern yourself with having loose soil and not height. Compact and short vegetable greens don't require any stakes or help to vegetatively thrive.

Managing water is more important than trellising. Beets require a consistent moisture profile. A steady supply of 1 inch a week would eliminate associated woody textures. A drip irrigation system I installed last year reduced cracking blooms and other issues by about 80% compared to regular watering. Also, adding a straw-based mulch will help retain water while fighting weeds. Light watering from overhead will likely invite diseases to the leaf area, so watering low is best.

A frequent source of error appears as care being misapplied. The primary failure with care is usually those nitrogen-heavy fertilizers that encourage the growth of leafy tops at the expense of roots. Boron deficiency can cause black heart disease, so I normally add 1 tsp of borax per 10 gallons biannually. Omit the trellis, but be on the lookout for flea beetles. Row covers tend to be a better fix than going vertical.

Harvest timing finishes the cycle. Check root shoulders growing from the soil, if they are about 1.5-3 inches in size, they are ready to be harvested. My last harvest was 15 pounds harvested from a 4x8 bed. Storage should be in damp sand at a temperature of 35-40F (2-4C), and keep them unwashed until you use them. For the greens, simply sauté them in oil with garlic, and you will have an iron-rich side dish.

Read the full article: How to Grow Beets: Expert Tips for Sweet Roots & Vibrant Greens